Before venturing into challenging and complex terrain, give new storm snow time to settle and bond.
Weak layers of surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack have recently produced large avalanches. Surface instabilities or large triggers may step down to these deeper layers.
Expect wind slab development on north aspect terrain, near and below ridge crests.
This past weekend there were reports of wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5.
If you do head out in the mountains, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network.
Up to 45 cm of new snow is present on the surface above 1500 m. A melt-freeze crust is on or near the surface up to 1800 m. Dry snow persists on northerly aspects at upper elevations.
Below 1100 m the snowpack is wet and unconsolidated.
Three persistent weak layers remain notable in the snowpack.
Surface hoar that formed in mid-March can be found 50 to 100 cm below the snow surface.
A layer of surface hoar that formed in early March can be found at a depth of 100 to 150 cm.
A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 100 to 200 cm deep.
At elevations below treeline, the snow pack is rain saturated and isothermal.
Thursday Night
Cloudy with up to 25 cm snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with flurries. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 10 cm snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing level 1100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
