We are unsure how long the snowpack will take to recover from the recent atmospheric river event and extra caution is still recommended. Check out our new conditions video for more details.
Multiple weak layers buried up to 2.5 m have produced very large avalanches recently. Avalanches failing on these layers have been very large and destructive.
The recent storm snow is expected to remain reactive to triggering at high elevations. Avalanches remains possible where a thick melt-freeze crust does not exist on the surface, and large avalanches may still run into lower elevations.
On Monday, a natural storm slab avalanche cycle began, and it has continued into Friday. Avalanches occurred on all aspects and elevations, and were a mix of slab and loose, wet and dry. Most of the avalanches that were reported were around size 2.5, but avalanches up to size 4 have been reported.
As temperatures drop on Saturday, a widespread melt-freeze crust is expected to form on the snow surface everywhere except the high alpine. Prior to this, 40 to 70 cm of settling storm snow has been redistributed into deep deposits on north and east aspects on the highest peaks. Ongoing rain had saturated the upper snowpack at and below treeline. Moist surface snow was reported to near mountain tops in most places.
A thick crust buried earlier in March can be found down 70 to 120 cm at treeline and below.
Three concerning weak layers of surface hoar, facets and/or crust that formed in January and February are found down 100 to 250 cm deep.
The lower snowpack is well settled and bonded.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
