Don't let good riding lure you into complacency, large and surprising avalanches have failed on a buried weak layer in the past few days.
Surface hoar, and in some areas a crust, have produced large and surprising avalanches in the past few days. Be especially cautious in steep openings at treeline and below.
Storm slabs have likely started to heal with warmer temperatures, but could remain reactive in wind-loaded terrain.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle took place during the storm on Wednesday. Observations have been limited following the storm, but there have been several persistent slab avalanches reported throughout the region since (size 2).
As much as 60 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by southwest winds into deeper deposits in lee terrain features at higher elevations.
A weak layer of surface hoar in sheltered, shaded terrain and a sun crust on south-facing terrain is now buried 40 to 90 cm. This layer has been most active in the Goat Range.
The lower snowpack is strong and bonded. Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 180 cm.
Friday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with up to 2 cm of new snow. 15 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
