Wind-loaded snow may break away from the weak base of the snowpack in steep features like gullies, but the biggest problems in the region are still early season hazards like rocks and stumps.
Avalanches are possible in isolated terrain features like gullies and alpine bowls where deeper deposits of snow may sit atop a weak, faceted basal snowpack.
No new avalanches have been reported. There are few field observations coming from this forecast area but a lack of avalanche reports does not necessarily mean a lack of avalanches.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Check out this MIN from our field team describing conditions at Core Lodge. Not much has changed here in the intervening days.
A widespread crust exists on or near the surface below 1400 m. South facing slopes are generally scoured.
The snowpack is shallow and facetted (sugary) with multiple crusts in the mid pack. Pockets of deeper, wind-loaded snow may be found near ridges, gully features, and established avalanche paths.
Average snowpack depths at treeline are roughly 20 to 80 cm.
Sunday night
Becoming cloudy. Southwest alpine wind increasing to 30-50 km/h.
Monday
Mainly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected, Southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -11°C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with about 5 cm of new snow expected. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -22°C.
Wednesday
Decreasing cloud with trace amounts of new snow. Northeast alpine wind 15-20 km/h. Treeline temperature -26°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
