As freezing levels drop storm snow at higher elevations may remain reactive to human triggers. Watch for changing conditions as you gain elevation, and as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Cornices have grown large during the recent storms and may remain weak from warm temperatures. Falling cornices are hazardous and may trigger slabs avalanches on the slopes below.
Recent storm snow may remain reactive to human triggering. Expect greater reactivity and deeper deposits at higher elevations that remained unaffected from rain, and on north through east facing slopes (from recent strong southwest winds).
Avalanches may involve the most recent snowfall (10-30 cm), or the settling storm snow from the past week (up to 100 cm) that sits over a widespread crust.
Temperatures remain cool over the weekend. Convective activity may bring short and localized bursts of snowfall.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Freezing levels drop to 500 m overnight. Scattered flurries continue, with moderate westerly winds and cloudy skies.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries of up to 3 cm. Freezing levels around 1000 m. Moderate westerly winds.
SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries possible. Freezing levels reach 1100 m. Light westerly winds.
MONDAY: Mostly clear skies with light easterly winds. Freezing levels reach 1300 m.
On Thursday, warm temperatures and sun triggered size 1-1.5 natural wet avalanche activity on south facing slopes. Natural activity is expected to have continued overnight on all aspects from heavy rain, snow and wind.
Small storm slabs were triggered by riders on many aspects. Of note, a size 2 avalanche was remotely triggered on the crust buried in late March, 70 cm deep on a west aspect at 1900 m. Avalanche activity is expected to decrease as freezing levels drop.
On Wednesday, several natural and rider triggered storm slab avalanches were reported on all aspects to size 2. Previous natural activity from the storm was observed to size 3. Cornice falls were also reported, some triggering slab avalanches on the slope below.
At high elevations 10-30 cm of recent wind affected storm snow sits over moist snow, observed to around 2200m. Southwest winds have likely created deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes.
A widespread and supportive crust is buried 60-120 cm deep, below recent settling storm snow. This crust has been very reactive to human and natural triggers within the last 5 days, but reports suggest is beginning to bond. Avalanches on this layer are harder to trigger but will be larger and more destructive.
Lower elevations hold wet snow from heavy rainfall, that will form a substantial crust as temperatures fall.
The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.
