Update 6:15 AM
Storm slabs may still be reactive, especially where they overlie surface hoar.
Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
30 to 50 cm of storm snow has accumulated at upper elevations with rain below approximately 1300 m. The new snow may be poorly bonded to an underlying crust or surface hoar.
Friday
Several loose wet avalanches and one slab avalanche up to size 2 were observed.
Thursday
a few size 1-1.5 sluffs were reported, along with cracking in wind-affected areas.
Wednesday
Skier traffic and ski cutting produced a few size 1 to 1.5 wind slabs.
Observations have been limited by poor visibility and difficult weather, so be sure to post your observations to the MIN if you get out!
30 to 50 cm of settling storm snow has accumulated in the region since Monday. At upper elevations, it has been blown around by variable winds and overlies a hard crust. In sheltered areas, it overlies large surface hoar that may make storm slabs more reactive. Rain below 1300 m may have neutralized the surface hoar problem at lower elevations.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 150 cm to 250 cm.
Saturday Night
Cloudy. 3 to 6 mm snow at treeline, rain below. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow at treeline, rain below. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
