Where a thick surface crust is present, large avalanches are less likely.
If unsure, choose mellow terrain and avoid being under steep slopes.
A weak layer of facets rests above a hard melt freeze crust that formed in early February. Where the surface has a new, thick crust, human triggering of this weak layer is unlikely.
No new avalanches have been reported. As temperatures drop, we expect natural avalanche activity to be less common.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle, with persistent slab avalanches up to size 2.5, continued until Saturday.
Previously moist or wet snow surfaces are cooling and forming a melt freeze crust. The strong crust is expected to decrease the likelihood of triggering avalanches.
A widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 50 to 110 cm deep. This crust has a weak layer of facets above it in many areas.
The eastern portion of this region has a much shallower, highly variable and wind-affected snowpack.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h east ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures drop to -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m dropping to surface.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -3 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with trace snow flurries. 30 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with trace snow flurries. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
