Carefully evaluate big terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
New snow, accompanied by variable alpine wind, continues to accumulate over a firm crust. Where winds have redistributed new snow look for signs of slab formation.
On Friday a natural size 2 avalanche was reported in the region on a south aspect where recent snow failed on the prevalent crust that formed in early February.
If you head out consider posting to the mountain information network.
Anywhere from 5 to 20 cm of dry snow sits atop a widespread hard crust. In general, the crust is strong and supportive to travel on below 1900 m. Above 1900 m the crust becomes breakable and tappers out entirely around 2300 m.
Below the crust, the upper snowpack continues to refreeze and strengthen.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of various weak layers primarily made up of crust and facet combinations.
Saturday Night
Mainly cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, 10 to 30 km/h west alpine winds, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow, 10 to 30 km/h southwest alpine winds, treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 3 cm of snow, 20 to 50 km/h northwest alpine winds, treeline temperature -5 °C.
Tuesday
Mainly clear, 10 to 20 km/h northwest alpine winds, treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
