New snow has created heightened avalanche conditions at higher elevations.
Scattered flurries may have formed unstable slabs in localized areas. Slab formation is most likely in the southern part of the region that has received more recent snow. There is uncertainty about how well these slabs will bond to underlying interfaces.
A few days of clear weather before stormy weather arrives on Friday.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Clearing skies, light north wind, freezing level drops to valley bottom, alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.
WEDNESDAY: Sunny with a few clouds, light north wind, freezing level climbing to 1200 m in the afternoon, alpine temperatures reach -4 C.
THURSDAY: Increasing cloud with some light flurries in the evening, moderate southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1200 m in the afternoon, alpine temperatures reach -4 C.
FRIDAY: 2-8 cm of new snow, moderate southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1500 m in the afternoon, alpine temperatures reach -2 C.
No recent avalanches have been reported, but mountain travel and field observations have been very limited over the past few days. Last week there were many wet loose avalanches and some large glide slabs, but cooler weather and new snow has probably fresh new wind slabs the main concern.
Recent snowfall amounts have been highly variable with some areas receiving 15-25 cm and adjacent valleys getting as little as 0-5 cm. Some of the heavier accumulations have been in the south part of the region. This new snow has buried moist and crusty snow, as well as potentially some small surface hoar on shaded slopes at lower elevations. Overall, there is some uncertainty about how well the new snow will bond to these interfaces.
Northern parts of the region have had a deep instability lingering at the base of the snowpack for most of the season, however this layer has gained strength over the past month (with the last reported avalanche on Feb 17).
