Avalanches remain possible in wind loaded terrain.
Travel carefully due to early season hazards.
The past storm arrived warm and departed cold. New snow is expected to stick to the old surface fairly well. Avalanches are most likely where strong winds are forming deeper pockets of snow over old, smooth, hard surfaces.
No new avalanches were reported before 4pm on Friday.
Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.
The preceding warm storm transitioned to colder conditions upon its departure. Anticipated new snow is likely to adhere quite effectively to the existing surface. Avalanches are expected primarily in areas where robust winds are creating deeper accumulations of snow over pre-existing, smooth, and firm surfaces. Below treeline, you'll find dirt, or shallow, heavy, moist or wet snow.
Mild temperatures and continuous rainfall have saturated and reduced the snowpack. The current snow depth ranges from 40 to 90 cm, diminishing rapidly below the 1000 m elevation threshold.
Terrain features with smooth ground cover, gullies, or established avalanche paths are above the threshold for avalanches.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Freezing level around 500 m. Treeline temperature around -3 °C. Moderate northwest ridgetop wind becoming southeast.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Freezing level around 900 m. Treeline temperature around -3 °C. Moderate south or southwest ridgetop wind.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. Very light rain expected. Freezing level rising to 1500-2000 m. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Extreme south or southwest ridgetop wind.
Monday
Cloudy. Heavy snow and rain expected. Freezing level rising to 1200-1500 m. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Extreme south or southwest ridgetop wind.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
