A highly variable snowpack structure exists throughout the region.
Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected, and avoid shallow rocky terrain where triggering deeper layers is most likely.
Fresh wind slabs may have developed on specific north-facing features or near ridge lines. Wind slabs at treeline could persist longer than normal, as they are overlying a weak layer of surface hoar. Be aware that wind slab avalanches could step down to deeper weak layers.
The lower snowpack is made up of facets and depth hoar. This layer is likely to be a concern for a prolonged period of time. It is most likely to be triggered in steep, shallow and rocky terrain features or by first triggering a avalanche higher up in the snowpack.
No new avalanches were reported in the region since Friday. Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It helps strengthen our data gathering.
Up to 15 cm of new snow has fallen into the region since Friday. Previous strong southerly winds have scoured alpine south-facing terrain and affected snow in open treeline features. A layer of surface hoar may still exist under the recent storm snow.
In sheltered terrain, 30 to 40 cm of low-density snow sits over a crust formed in late December. This crust varies in thickness throughout the terrain. In the mid-snowpack, a layer of surface hoar from early December has been observed down 80 to 100 cm on sheltered north-facing terrain, but has not shown signs of instabilities in the last week.
There is a layer of facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack, which remains a concern. Snowpack depths around treeline are about 150 cm deep. The snowpack below treeline is very shallow and faceted.
A series of weak frontal bands will generate periods of light snow Sunday night and Monday night. Overcast skies and dry conditions are expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sunday night
Snow up to 5 cm, southwesterly winds increasing to 45 km/h, freezing level around 1200 m, low of -3C at treeline.
Monday
Cloudy, isolated flurries during the day, 3-5 cm overnight, moderate southerly winds gusting to 45 km/h, freezing level around 1000 m, high of -4C at treeline.
Tuesday
Cloudy, no precipitation, moderate southerly winds gusting to 45 km/h then easing off, freezing levels around 1400 m, high of -2C at treeline.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds, no precipitation, moderate southeasterly winds, freezing levels around 1000 m, high of -5C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
