Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day with strong winds and heavy snowfall in some areas. Adjust your terrain choices accordingly.
A hard crust with a chance of surface hoar or facets overtop is buried approximately 80 to 150 cm deep and is most common in alpine terrain. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating larger-than-expected avalanches.
Snowfall (heavy at times) with strong winds will continue to create fresh storm and wind slabs atop various old hard surfaces. Expect slabs to be most reactive at higher elevations on wind-loaded slopes.
A few wind or storm slab avalanches (up to size 2) have been reported since the weekend, along with several loose dry avalanches (up to size 1) in very steep terrain.
Recent observations have been limited due to cloudy or foggy conditions, especially at higher elevations.
Roughly 20 to 40 cm of recent snow has accumulated this week, with up to another 40 cm possible by Thursday afternoon.
At treeline and above, the recent storm snow has buried either a crust of variable thickness or firm, settled snow. Below treeline, the new snow rests atop a thin crust, with the underlying snow remaining largely moist or isothermal.
A crust, with possible surface hoar or faceted snow above or below it, was buried on January 26 and is now roughly 80 to 150 cm deep. This layer is most likely to persist at higher elevations, while at lower elevations, it was likely rain-soaked and destroyed last week.
Snow depths at treeline across the region range from 250 to 450 cm.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy. 15 to 30 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
