Strong winds will impact loose snow. Watch for stiff, wind-loaded snow in open terrain and below ridge crests.
Strong winds will impact loose snow in open treeline features and higher. Watch for stiff, wind-loaded snow on ribs and gullies, especially where it sits over a weak, sugary layer near the base of the snowpack
No new avalanches reported. If you are out and about in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to the MIN.
Strong winds and blowing snow may have formed isolated wind slabs at treeline and above. The upper snowpack is variable, with wind-affected surface snow in open terrain and softer snow in sheltered areas. This overlies a crust that formed in mid-November. The lower snowpack consists of multiple crusts, and in some areas, a layer of weak, sugary facets can be found near the ground.
Total snowpack depths are roughly 60 to 80 cm, tapering quickly at lower elevations.
In many areas, especially below treeline, there is not enough snow to smooth out surface roughness or reach the threshold needed for avalanches.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. Trace to 4 cm of snow. 25 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds with isolated flurries. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
