Moderate to locally heavy snowfalls are expected on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
The avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
New snow will create fresh and reactive slabs, especially on lee terrain where accumulations will be greater. Slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day as new snow accumulates.
Small storm slabs (size 1) were reactive to riders on alpine convex slopes near Cokely on Sunday.
Observations of small natural avalanches (dry and wet loose, wind and storm slabs) from this stormy weekend are still being reported throughout the region.
Thanks for sharing your observations via the MIN if you are going out into the backcountry.
20 to 25 cm of recent snow exists, with deeper deposits of wind-transported snow in lee terrain at upper elevations. Variable conditions exist at upper elevations and reactive slabs are found at upper elevations. Southerly slopes were affected by the sun, resulting in heavy wet snow sitting on a thin crust.
A robust crust, formed in early March, can be found down 50 to 100 cm. The snow above is well bonded to this crust. Below this, the snowpack is well consolidated and strong.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of new snow. 30 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4°C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow. 60 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2°C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 20 to 30 cm of new snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
