Conditions at upper elevations are uncertain, with recent snow and wind creating potential for slab avalanches. Lower elevations are more stable, as rain-soaked snow has refrozen.
The recent combination of heavy snowfall and extreme wind has likely left large wind slabs at upper elevations, with some uncertainty about how easy they will be to trigger.
A widespread cycle of wet avalanches occurred Wednesday and Thursday, producing both slab and loose avalanches up to size 3.
With cooler temperatures over the weekend, wet avalanches are now unlikely, leaving lingering wind slabs at upper elevations as the main concern.
10 to 40 cm of new snow fell at the end of the storm, with deeper wind-loaded deposits in the alpine. This sits on wet snow that is now refreezing.
A crust from early March is buried 80 to 120 cm deep, but can be much shallower in some areas. While a few avalanches occurred on this layer during the storm, it is unlikely to be a concern moving forward.
The lower snowpack is strong and well bonded.
Friday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Sunny with some late afternoon cloud. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
