Human-triggered avalanches remain possible after a week of snow accumulating over a crust and periods of strong wind.
Roughly 80 cm of recent snow (more in wind-loaded terrain) now overlies a widespread crust. Recent southwest winds have created highly variable snow distribution, with the most reactive and largest slabs expected in wind-loaded areas.
Approximately 60 to 100 cm of snow has accumulated over the past week, burying a widespread crust at treeline and below. In alpine terrain, this crust is likely thin or absent. Periods of strong southwesterly wind have redistributed the new snow in exposed areas at higher elevations.
A crust with facets may exist 100 to 200 cm below the surface, primarily on northerly aspects at higher elevations. This layer appears unreactive but continues to be monitored.
The remaining snowpack appears strong and well-bonded.
We do not have any recent reports of avalanches, but suspect recent avalanche activity has occurred in the alpine during periods of rapid loading from heavy snow and/or wind transport.
If you are heading into the backcountry, please share any observations with the Mountain Information Network.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
