Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected to persist with continued warm, sunny weather.
Travel only in non-avalanche or simple terrain, and avoid all overhead hazards.
A reactive layer of surface hoar is buried around 1 m deep. Additional snow load and warming will increase the likelihood of triggering, as well as the size of avalanches running on this layer.
New snow and wind are building fresh and reactive slabs. These may be more predominant in the alpine and especially on wind loaded leeward slopes.
Wet loose avalanches are expected on steep slopes at all elevations.
On Monday, widespread natural avalanche activity up to (size 2) was reported. Numerous human-triggered (size 1-1.5) were also seen and failing in the recent storm snow. Wet loose avalanches were reported below 1700 m.
Natural avalanche activity is expected to continue with warm temperatures on Wednesday.
Rain and rising freezing levels have created wet snow surfaces up to 2100 m and higher. In the alpine, up to 90 cm of recent snow has been transported by strong south winds. In areas protected from the wind, a surface hoar layer buried in early January may be found down 100+ cm.
The prominent mid-December crust is now buried around 1.5 m deep, and is present up to 2300 m. Triggering this layer is considered unlikely, except with large loads like a cornice failure or in thin snowpack areas.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 3100 m.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2900 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 800 m. Possible alpine temperature inversion.
Friday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m. Strong alpine temperature inversion.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
