Expect increasing avalanche danger in the afternoon especially on steep south facing terrain in the alpine.
Storm snow that is resting on surface hoar and a crust is becoming stubborn to light triggers such as riders or skiers. Expect to find deeper deposit on north through to east aspect terrain.
Use caution on steep features where snow has been rain soaked. As day time temperature rise and the sun comes out, expect avalanche triggering to remain possible to light human triggers.
No new avalanches were reported Thursday as activity eased with cooler temperatures.
On Wednesday, a widespread natural avalanche cycle was reported by numerous operations, throughout all elevations and aspects as snowfall, rainfall and warming persisted. Activity includes failures in recent storm snow, loose wet releases, as well as deeper weak layers such as the early January surface hoar and the late December crust.
Cooling temperatures, have likely begun to reconsolidate previous moist and wet surface snow, with widespread reports of a developing surface melt freeze crust. Past storm totals vary from 130-250 cm throughout the region, heavily redistributed by strong southerly winds at upper elevations.
At treeline, a very warm and wet surface snow has now become a melt freeze crust. Expect this crust to become supportive to ski and foot weight but possible for a snowmobile to penetrate it.
A layer of large surface hoar is buried 90 to 150 cm in sheltered treeline features. 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.
Thursday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
Friday
Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 3300 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 3200 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 3200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
