Buried weak layers need time to adjust to the new snow load.
Gather info in simple terrain, free from overhead slopes, before increasing your exposure.
It's uncertain how the storm snow is bonding to the old layers. Assess in your local area before committing to large terrain features.
Stormy conditions have limited avalanche observations, but we suspect that natural avalanches were releasing during periods of heavy snow loading on Wednesday. Natural avalanche activity is expected to have slowed after the storm with the temperature dropping. Riders may still trigger avalanches.
Up to 80 cm of light, dry snow has fallen this week. In the middle of the snowpack is a layer of surface hoar and/or faceted grains. The layer of facets may have a hard melt-freeze crust underneath. It's uncertain whether this layer will be a concern going forward. In thin snowpack areas, faceted grains may extend to the ground.
Average snow depths at treeline range from 100 to 170 cm and decrease rapidly at lower elevations.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow . 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
