Dangerous avalanche conditions persist with more snow, wind, and warming temperatures expected on Saturday.
New snow is accompanied by strong winds. Expect fresh slabs to be the largest and most reactive at higher elevations in wind-loaded terrain.
Wind slabs have been reactive in recent days, at all elevations. There have been several reports of natural and skier-triggered size 1-2 wind slabs on NE-NW aspects.
With continued snow, wind, and warming temperatures, we anticipate natural and rider-triggered avalanche activity to continue.
Variable amounts of snow continue to accumulate across the region. At higher elevations and exposed terrain, strong winds are redistributing the new snow into deeper deposits on leeward and cross-loaded slopes. Below 1400 m, surfaces will become wet as the rain line creeps higher.
A crust formed in February exists at variable depths, generally 50 to 120 cm below the surface. In isolated, wind-sheltered areas, weak surface hoar may be present atop this crust.
The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated with no other significant layers of concern.
Friday Night
Cloudy. 2 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 80 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
