Choose terrain that is sheltered from the wind for better snow and lower avalanche danger. Look above you! Natural avalanches may run into flat areas below large features.
Happy holidays!
50-70 cm of storm snow and strong southerly winds have formed touchy storm slabs at higher elevations. Be especially cautious around wind loaded features where storm slabs may be deeper and more reactive to human-triggering.
No new avalanches have been reported in the region. We anticipate those who head into the backcountry for the holiday will see evidence of a natural avalanche cycle from within the storm.
If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Storm snow totals are expected to be 50-70 cm by Tuesday afternoon. Strong southerly winds continue to build thick wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain. South facing slopes (windward), have likely been scoured by the strong winds or have dense, wind packed snow.
Below 1200 m, a thick crust is present approximately 50 cm above the ground. This crust is well bonded to the snow around it.
The middle and lower snowpack is reported to be well settled and bonded. Snow depth varies from 75-200 cm through this region.
Monday Night
Cloudy. 10-25 cm of snow expected. Moderate to strong south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 °C.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy. 4-7 cm of snow expected. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -7 °C .
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Strong northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -10 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 2-5 cm of snow expected. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
