New snow and wind will create a reactive storm slab in the Alpine.
Expect rain at lower elevations, making already challenging conditions worse.
Moderate winds and new snow will create a slab in the alpine where snow depths will be the greatest . Evaluate terrain carefully for wind slabs at ridge top in immediate lees.
A couple days of rain at lower elevations will destabilize the snowpack. When sun hits the new snow for the first time expect to see avalanche activity.
Few natural avalanches have been observed on the highway corridor over the past few days.
Neighboring operations are reporting small wet loose avalanches on solar facing terrain and natural cornice falls.
Last week there were a couple of notable skier triggered avalanches from high, north facing, alpine slopes where a sneaky layer of surface hoar was buried. One was on Bruins glacier and the other on the Dome, check out the MIN reports here and here.
Spring storms have brought abit of new snow to the alpine and rain to lower elevations
Daily melt/freeze cycles are affecting the surface of the snowpack on solar slopes and all aspects up to 2200m, with several crusts of variable strength in the upper snowpack.
High alpine, north facing slopes still hold dry snow. A spotty surface hoar layer exists down ~20cms in sheltered north alpine areas..
Below treeline, conditions are variable and challenging travel exists.
We'll experience unsettled weather Sunday & Monday with new snow and gusty winds.
Tonight Flurries. snow: 6cm. Alp low -6°C. Ridge wind W light gusting 35km/hr. Freezing Level (FZL) 1400m
Sun Flurries. Snow: 9cm. Alp high -3°C. West wind 10-20km/hr. FZL 1800m
Mon Flurries: 7cm. Trace precip. Alp high -4°C. West wind 10-25km/hr. FZL 1800m
Tues Sun & cloud. Trace precip. Alp high 1°C. Wind: W 20-40 km/hr. FZL 2000m
