Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended on Sunday.
As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
Up to 50 cm of storm snow and extreme winds have built reactive storm slabs at all elevations. Back off if you encounter signs of instability like whumpfing, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
On Saturday, several human-triggered size 1 storm slab avalanches were reported on north and west facing slopes below ridgecrests.
With significant new snow and strong wind in the forecast for the weekend, we anticipate that increased avalanche activity will persist on Sunday.
If you are headed to the backcountry, please consider sharing your photos and observations from your day on the Mountain Information Network.
By Sunday morning, storm snow totals are expected to be up to 50 cm, with an additional 5 to 15 cm of snow expected through the day. Storm snow covers a thick a crust except on high north facing terrain, where new snow buries 5 to 20 cm of dense snow overlying a crust from earlier in March.
The mid and lower snowpack is strong and dense.
Saturday Night
Cloudy with heavy flurries, 20 to 50 mm of mixed precipitation. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with light flurries, 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 2 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 25 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level around 800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
