Large storm slabs will be most reactive in wind affected terrain.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Persistent weak layers of crusts/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack remain a concern in this region, especially where there is not a thick crust under the recent snow.
85 to 140 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed storm slabs overlying a weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets. Storm slabs will be most likely to trigger in wind affected terrain.
On Thursday, a size 2.5 cornice failure was reported on a northwest aspect in the alpine.
A widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle occurred over the last week on all aspects/elevations. Storm slabs up to size 2.5 were reported at treeline and below.
There have been very limited alpine observations, but we suspect numerous natural very large avalanches (size 3.5 or larger) have occurred.
Cornices are large and looming. Avoid traveling underneath them.
Recent snowfall amounts have varied from 85 to 140 cm, with the highest amounts being in the south of the region. The recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed storm slabs overlying a weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets that will be most likely to trigger in wind affected terrain.
There are multiple persistent weak layers consisting of crust/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack.
The lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
