Keep decision making conservative as the snowpack stabilizes after the storm. Avoid wind loaded features where storm snow is expected to remain reactive to human triggers.
Expect spring-like conditions at low elevations and winter as you head towards mountain peaks.
Storm snow is expected to remain reactive to human triggers, especially in wind-loaded features. Avoid crossing wind-loaded slopes near ridgelines or mid-slope rollovers.
This storm snow sits over a crust, and may not bond well.
A rider-triggered avalanche was reported on Friday around 50 cm deep on a convex roll. Check out the MIN post for more details. This indicates a poor bond between the recent storm snow and the old snow surface.
We expect that natural avalanches also occurred throughout this storm, primarily from steep terrain and wind-loaded features.
Observations are very limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.
A mix of rain, snow, and strong southerly winds have likely created deeper deposits of storm snow in north-facing terrain features. Storm totals may reach above 40 cm in high-elevation terrain. However, this new snow is likely heavy and moist, except at the highest peaks. The new snow overlies a rain crust that likely extends to mountain tops in many areas.
Lower elevations likely hold wet snow that will refreeze by Sunday morning, creating a thick melt-freeze crust and challenging travel conditions.
The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well-bonded.
Saturday Night
Freezing levels remain around 2000 m overnight with light rain expected, up to 10 mm. Strong southwesterly winds continue.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0-15 cm. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing levels around 1300 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate westerly wind. Freezing level 1600 m. No snowfall expected.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny with freezing levels rising near 2000 m. Moderate westerly winds. No snowfall.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
