Watch for wet and heavy snow on steep terrain features.
Wet loose avalanches are still possible while freezing levels remain high
Expect loose wet avalanches to still be possible to trigger, even as the weather improves. Greatest concern is higher terrain that saw mixed precipitation and minimal rain throughout this storm. Watch for terrain that holds heavy and wet surface snow.
Freezing levels continue to change rapidly in the wake of the storm, reaching peak elevations on Friday and likely again on Sunday.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with isolated flurries overnight. Freezing levels rise to 2500 m. Moderate winds from the southwest.
FRIDAY: Increasing cloud. Freezing levels slowly fall from 2500 m to 1500 m over the afternoon with isolated flurries. Strong southwest winds.
SATURDAY: Freezing levels remain between 1000 - 1500 m for the day, with a mix of sun and cloud and isolated flurries. Moderate westerly winds.
SUNDAY: Freezing levels begin to rise overnight, reaching 2500 m by the afternoon. Isolated flurries are possible, with mostly cloudy skies.
We have limited observations on the results of this storm. A natural avalanche cycle is expected to have occurred at all elevations with the heavy rain with rising temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday.
If you head out into the mountains please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Heavy rain and warm temperatures have saturated the surface snow at all elevations. As temperatures cool the wet snow will likely form a thick surface crust.
A series of crusts from recent rain and warmer temperatures are present up to 1400 m in the upper snowpack. These may be breaking down due to the recent rainfall. The middle and base of the snowpack are strong, consisting of well-bonded snow and various hard melt-freeze crusts.
