Don’t let the new snow lure you into big terrain.
In addition to the weak layers new snow has fallen on, we are still concerned about the layers from earlier this month.
This layer may now be found down up to 65 cm. Avalanches releasing on this layer will likely be larger than they have been over the past week.
Up to 30 cm of new snow has formed a reactive storm slab. These slabs will be more reactive where they overlie facets or surface hoar.
Over the past few days rider triggered avalanches have been up to size 2.5 but most were smaller, size 1.5. these avalanches were generally releasing on layers of facets, surface hoar and/or a crust from earlier this month.
We expect avalanches on these layers, as well as the more recently buried weak layers described in the snowpack summary, to continue to occur.
10 to 30 cm of new snow has buried a variety of surfaces including surface hoar in sheltered terrain, a crust on south and west facing slopes as well as old wind slab on exposed terrain.
Another layer of surface hoar is down around 20 to 50 cm in sheltered areas.
The widespread crust buried in early February is down 40 to 65 cm and has sugary facets on top. In most places, this crust is widespread up to 2400 m.
The base of the snowpack is still loose and faceted in shallow rocky alpine areas.
Wednesday Night
A mix of cloud and clear skies with up to 2 cm of new snow. 5 to 20 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -7°C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with up to 3 cm of new snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -5°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
