Keep it simple ! The warm weather and continued precipitation has subsided. Utilize simple terrain as you give the snowpack time to cool and heal.
Wind loaded features are the primary concern. Watch for wind slabs in sheltered terrain and expect reactivity to be greatest in areas they are sitting over surface hoar.
Strong to extreme westerly winds have likely stripped west facing slopes and deposited snow lower down on north and east facing slopes.
Watch for mid slope terrain features like rollovers. A reactive surface hoar layer can be found down 40 cm in protected areas up to 2000 m in elevation.
On Wednesday a single explosive trigger a large (size 2) wind slab avalanche , additionally a natural large (size 2) avalanche was observed and was thought to have occurred within the past 24 hour period.
On Tuesday explosive avalanche control and skier control produced several small (size 1.5) wind slabs. A noted small (size 1) loose wet avalanche occurred at lower elevation BTL.
On Monday explosive avalanche control produced several small (size 1.5) wind slabs
On Sunday 1 large avalanche (size 2) was triggered utilizing explosives on a east aspect at 1850 m. This avalanche ran on a surface composed of facets with a crown depth that was on average 40 cm deep and ran for 200 meters.
If you are heading into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
A total of 26 mm of precipitation has fallen since Dec 25. Snowfall totals of 16 cm of snow at elevations 1600 m and above. Below 1600 m there has been mixed precipitation and rain. Beginning yesterday cool temperatures have begun to refreeze this moist snow creating a strengthening melt freeze crust.
Moderate to strong southwesterly winds continue to redistribute recent snow and is forming wind slabs at higher elevations. On south facing slopes wind slab could have formed over a sun crust. A layer of surface hoar down around 40 cm can be found in sheltered terrain on all aspects up to 2000 m.
A weak layer consisting of facets and a crust formed in November is now buried around 60cm deep.
In general, the snowpack is quite weak and faceted with average snowpack depths of around 150cm at treeline.
Thursday Night
Becoming cloudy, with light snowfall; 1 to 2 cm. Moderate southwest winds 30 km/h. Freezing level 100 m with alpine highs of -12°C.
Friday
Scattered clouds, very light snowfall; trace amounts. Light to moderate southwesterly wind 10 to 30 km/h. Freezing levels are expected to rise briefly mid day to 1000 m, with alpine highs of -6°C.
Saturday
Overcast with light snowfall; 1 to 4 cm. Moderate to Strong southwesterly wind 20 to 60 km/h. Freezing levels are expected to rise briefly mid day to 1000 m, with alpine highs of -6°C.
Sunday
Overcast becoming clear, very light snowfall; trace amounts. Moderate to Strong southwesterly wind 20 to 60 km/h. Freezing levels are expected to remain below 200 m, with alpine highs of -12°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
