Avoid avalanche terrain.
The combination of ongoing snowfall, strong wind, and a persistent weak layer means avalanches are almost certain.
Expect deeper and more touchy slabs in wind affected terrain.
Storm snow sits over surface hoar and a crust, human and naturally triggered avalanches are almost certain.
Wet avalanches are possible where precip falls as rain.
Over the past 4 days numerous storm slab avalanches up to size 3.5 have been observed in the region. These avalanches were triggered naturally, remotely, and by riders at all elevations. Most of this avalanche activity has occurred on northwest through northeast aspects.
Check out this MIN from our field team for some good details on an avalanche they remotely triggered.
Another 30 to 70 cm of storm snow is expected by Sunday afternoon, bringing storm totals to 60 to 120 cm. Storm snow has been accompanied by strong southerly wind, forming deeper deposits in north and east facing features. Below treeline the snow surface is moist from rain.
A layer of large surface hoar is found down 80 to 130 cm in sheltered treeline features. Below treeline a crust is found at this interface.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 250 cm to 450 cm.
Saturday Night
Cloudy. 20 to 35 cm of snow. 40 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Sunday
Cloudy. 10 to 40 cm of snow at treeline, rain below. 50 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 30 to 60 cm of snow at treeline, rain below. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 25 to 45 mm of rain at treeline, snow in the alpine. 50 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
