Continue to make conservative terrain choices, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
Cold exposure is a major concern for backcountry travelers (read more in this blog).
Overnight snowfall and southwest winds will continue to build storm slabs.
Winds will shift to the northwest on Thursday and may be forming fresh, reactive slabs in a reverse-loading pattern.
Low visibility and bad roads have limited observations in the past few days. We expect a widespread natural avalanche cycle will have occurred during the storm on Tuesday.
Take a cautious approach on Thursday. Storm slabs may remain sensitive to human-triggering.
If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.
40 to 60 cm of recent storm snow was accompanied by strong southwest switching to northwest winds, building cohesive slabs in lee features. This overlies 20-50 cm of snow over a crust and a well-settled snowpack in the alpine and upper treeline.
Treeline snowpack depths range from 90 to 180 cm. The last few storms have brought winter to the Cascades, and lower-elevation areas may reach the threshold for avalanches.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with snowfall, 5 to 10 cm of accumulation. Alpine wind northwest 15 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures drop to -12 C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with flurries, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Westerly wind 40 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperatures drop to -22 C.
Friday
Mainly sunny with no new snow. Northerly winds 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperatures drop to -27 C.
Saturday
Sunny with no new snow. Northerly winds 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures around -25 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
