Strong wind, more precipitation, and spiking freezing levels will keep avalanche hazard elevated.
Upwards of 25 cm forecast above 2000 m along with strong south-southwest wind. Reactive slabs will build where dry snow accumulates. Be especially cautious transitioning into wind-loaded terrain, more reactive deposits lurk in leeward features.
Freezing levels are forecast to spike overnight. The wet avalanche hazard will be highest Monday morning at all elevations and persist until the snowpack has frozen again.
The winter snowpack is not as deep as usual, and along with a cold and dry early winter, the lower snowpack consists of weak, unconsolidated facets and depth hoar crystals. With weak basal layers, a cautious approach to large open terrain features is required especially around rocky or thin areas.
No notable recent avalanches have been reported, however poor weather and road closures have limited observations.
Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.
Upwards of 20 cm storm snow over the weekend has been redistributed by strong south winds. Warm temperatures and rain have impacted lower elevations, a melt-freeze crust has formed below 1400 m. The new snow covered a layer of weak and unconsolidated snow produced by the recent cold weather.
In the last 48 hours, around 15 cm fresh snow fell with steady south-southwest wind. The new snow overlies a facetted and unconsolidated layer which formed during the recent cold weather.
The winter snowpack is not as deep as usual, and along with a cold and dry early winter, the lower snowpack consists of weak, unconsolidated facets and depth hoar crystals. Snowpack depths average 50-200 cm at treeline.
Sunday Night
Wet flurries and snow, 10 cm. Ridgetop high temperature 0 C. Southwest wind 20-40 km/hr. A warm pocket of air has freezing levels fluctuating between 1500-2000 m.
Monday
Depending on where freezing levels fall and how much moisture makes it inland, upwards of 25 cm possible by noon Monday above 2000 m.
Ridgetop high temperatures +1 C. Southwest wind 30-50 km/hr. Freezing level falling towards 1500 m.
Precipitation and high freezing levels may produce a variety of frozen water forms including freezing rain at roadside elevations.
TuesdayFlurries, 5-10 cm. Ridgetop high temperature 0 C. Southwest wind 20-40 km/hr. Freezing level falling towards valley bottom.
WednesdayFlurries and snow, 5 cm. Ridgetop high temperature -2 C. Southwest wind 20-40 km/hr.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
