Remain cautious if entering wind-affected terrain at upper elevations.
Recent flurries combined with southerly winds formed wind slabs on lee slopes. These slabs may be reactive where they overlie buried surface hoar.
No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.
Human-triggered slab avalanches in specific areas may be possible. Natural avalanches are considered unlikely at this time.
Observations are still limited, so be sure to post yours to the MIN if you get out!
Recent snow and southwesterly winds have formed small wind slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations. Rain has fallen at lower elevations below treeline.
In the alpine, wind slabs overlie a hard crust that extends up to 2300 m. Large surface hoar can be found on this crust at treeline and below. Recent rain likely neutralized the surface hoar problem at lower elevations.
A second layer of facets or surface hoar is buried around 50 to 100 cm deep, and is considered unlikely to trigger at this point.
The mid and lower snowpack have no layers of concern. Snowpack depths are around 150-200 cm at treeline.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow at treeline, rain possible below 1300 m. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow at treeline, rain possible below 1200 m. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
