New slabs may form with snow and strong wind. It also remains possible to trigger large avalanches failing on buried weak layers in northerly alpine terrain.
New slabs may form with new snow and strong wind. These slabs will be particularly touchy where they rest on weak surface hoar crystals.
Recent large avalanches released on buried weak layers in northerly alpine terrain. Similar avalanches could be triggered in the coming days.
We've received a few reports of some recent large avalanches that likely released on buried weak layers (here and here). Most of the avalanches released on northerly alpine terrain.
Looking forward, new small avalanches may form from new snow that rests on surface hoar crystals. It will also remain possible to trigger large avalanches on northerly alpine terrain.
Please continue to share your observations via the Mountain Information Network. Thank you!
5 to 10 cm of new snow will fall onto surface hoar crystals on shaded aspects and a melt-freeze crust at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. Strong wind may form deeper deposits in lee terrain features.
We have limited snowpack information, but this report suggests a generally weak lower snowpack with various potential layers of concern, which produced recent large avalanches.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
