Dangerous avalanche conditions continue. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely.
Stick to simple, non-avalanche terrain without exposure to overhead slopes.
A problematic combination of weak faceted snow and/or surface hoar over a crust remains a concern at treeline. This layer will need time to adjust to the new snow load.
Storm snow and strong winds have built touchy slabs at higher elevations. Deeper deposits are expected in north and east facing terrain around ridgelines.
On Wednesday, numerous natural slab avalanches were reported up to size 1. However, the observations were limited due to visibility and suspect an ongoing avalanche cycle had occurred.
Natural, and human-triggered avalanche activity will likely continue on Friday.
Up to 70 cm of storm snow overlies wind-affected surfaces and old wind slabs in exposed areas and 30 to 60 cm of settling snow in sheltered areas.
Multiple weak layers exist in the upper and mid snowpack. The most concerning weak layer is a widespread crust found down 60 to 100 cm, with weak, faceted snow immediately above it. This layer will need time to adjust to the new snow load. Although natural avalanche activity may taper out on this layer as the snow stops falling it will remain possible to human-trigger it for some time afterward.
Thursday Night
Cloudy with snow 5 to 15 cm. Ridgetop wind 25 gusting to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing levels valley bottom.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. 15 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with snow 5 cm. 15 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level hovers around 700 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Light southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. The freezing level hovers around 900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
