Large storm slabs will be most reactive in wind affected terrain.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Persistent weak layers of crusts/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack remain a concern in this region, especially where there is not a thick crust under the recent snow.
65 to 120 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed reactive storm slabs overlying a weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets.
A widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle up to size 3 was reported over the last five days on all aspects/elevations.
There have been very limited alpine observations, but we suspect numerous natural very large avalanches (size 3.5 or larger) have occurred.
Recent snowfall amounts have varied from 65 to 120 cm, with the highest amounts being in the west of the region. The recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed reactive storm slabs overlying a weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets. This weak layer will make large storm slabs more likely to trigger.
There are multiple persistent weak layers consisting of crust/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
