Recent snow, since Christmas, may not be bonding well to the underlying crust in some areas.
Storm snow accumulated since Christmas Day may be bonding poorly to an underlying crust in some areas. Wind-loaded terrain at treeline is the most likely place to trigger a slab avalanche.
Numerous small (size 1 to 1.5) skier-triggered avalanches occurred on Monday, failing on the Dec. 25 crust. Most of these avalanches occurred on northerly terrain around treeline elevations.
In exposed alpine and treeline areas, wind-affected surfaces persist. On south-facing slopes at higher elevations, a thin sun crust is likely to form overnight.
Recent storm snow continues to settle and bond to a crust buried on Dec. 25, which is thin or absent in alpine terrain but thicker and more widespread at treeline and below.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and consolidated, with multiple crust layers present.
Wednesday Night
Clear skies. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C, with a chance of above-freezing temperatures in the alpine.
Thursday
Cloud building throughout the day. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
