Due to a very limited number of information sources at this time of year, this report is based off of weather forecast information only. If you have been out recently, send us your observations by submitting to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
New snow accompanied by moderate to strong southerly winds Monday has developed new storm and wind slabs. Expect snow amounts to increase incrementally as you gain elevation.
There may be 10-30 cm of new snow that fell Sunday night and Monday to add to the 20-40 cm of snow that fell through the last week at upper elevations. Moderate to strong southwest winds are expected to have formed reactive wind slabs. This new snow sits on a melt freeze crust except for high elevation north aspects. It is likely that the most recent precipitation has fallen as rain 1000 m and below.
A crust that formed in early April is down 30 to 100 cm on high elevation north facing slopes. Surface hoar and facets were previously observed on this crust and it recently produced sudden results in snowpack tests. At lower elevations, ongoing warm weather has been promoting isothermal snowpack conditions and melting the snowpack away.
MONDAY Night: Mainly cloudy / moderate west winds / alpine high temperature -6 C, freezing level 600 m
TUESDAY: Scattered flurries, accumulation 5 cm at upper elevations / moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature -5 C / freezing level 800 m
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light west wind / alpine temperature -5 / freezing level 800 m
THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light to moderate southwest wind / alpine temperature -3 / freezing level 1000 m
No new avalanches have been reported in the region. Expect to see an increase in storm and wind slab activity at upper elevations. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
