Continue to choose conservative terrain.
Storm snow is likely to remain reactive to human triggers, especially where slabs sit over weak layers.
Expect deeper and more reactive slabs in wind affected terrain. Storm snow sits over surface hoar and a crust, increasing reactivity. At lower elevations storm slabs may be wet or moist from rain and warming.
Lower elevations hold saturated snow that may slide easily on a buried crust.
A natural avalanche cycle was observed during the recent storm, to size 2.5 at all elevations. Wet avalanches have been observed at lower elevations, while storm and wind slab avalanches continue above. Avalanches have been running within the storm snow, and on buried weak layers, including the early January surface hoar and late December crust.
Recent storm totals of 100-130 cm have been redistributed by strong southerly winds and are settling rapidly due to warm temperatures. At treeline and below, snow may be moist or wet from rain.
A layer of surface hoar is buried 40 to 70 cm deep in sheltered treeline features. Below treeline, a crust is found at this interface.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 150 cm to 250 cm.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m in the south, 1500 m in the north.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 20 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
