Recent storm snow is still settling and needs time to bond. Carefully assess the upper snowpack for instabilities before entering any steeper terrain.
Storm and wind slabs remain a concern following recent heavy snow and wind loading. A buried surface hoar layer at treeline and below could increase the reactivity and persistence of slabs in steep terrain.
A widespread avalanche cycle took place on Wednesday, with numerous natural, skier, and explosive-triggered avalanches reported across various elevations and aspects, up to size 2. These slab avalanches primarily failed in the upper 40 cm of recent storm snow.
One report of a skier-triggered, size 1 avalanche, below treeline in the Lizard range suggests that buried surface hoar may remain reactive in steep terrain at lower elevations.
Recent snowfall has brought up to 40 cm of snow, with deeper deposits accumulating in lee-facing terrain at higher elevations due to southwest winds.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and stable. However, there is some uncertainty about a potential surface hoar layer buried 50 to 80 cm deep, which could be reactive on isolated, steep, sheltered slopes around treeline and below.
Snow depths at treeline range from 120 to 180 cm.
Thursday Night
Cloud building overnight with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
