Expect challenging travel navigating refrozen surfaces and avalanche debris.
Uncertainty in the snowpack warrants a conservative approach to steep terrain in the alpine.
The likelihood of avalanches failing on buried weak layers is decreasing, but we are uncertain how quickly. High-consequence slopes should be approached with caution.
A natural avalanche cycle was observed earlier in the week from the warming event.
Avalanche danger has decreased with cooling temperatures, but concern for persistent slab avalanches remains in isolated areas in the alpine where the snowpack was not significantly impacted by this warming.
A fatal avalanche involving one snowmobiler occurred in the Hasler riding area last Saturday. For more details on this incident, see the Fatal Avalanche Incident report.
Cooling temperatures have left a surface crust of varying thickness at all elevations. In the alpine up to 10 cm of dry snow may exist on top of this crust.
A layer of facets formed during the mid-January cold snap exists down 30 to 60 cm. This layer may remain a concern in the alpine where it was not significantly impacted by rain and warm temperatures.
In areas east of the Divide the snowpack is shallow and faceted with depths of 60 to 100 cm around treeline.
Friday Night
Cloudy with light rain turning to snow, up to 5 cm accumulation. Alpine wind southwest 40 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature dropping to -7 °C, freezing level falling to valley bottom.
Saturday
Mainly sunny. Alpine wind west 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine wind west 15 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with light flurries. Alpine wind southeast 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
