Natural avalanches are possible as more snow and strong winds continue to load the snowpack
Buried weak layers have produced recent, large avalanches
Further snowfall adds more stress to buried weak layers. Facets, surface hoar and crusts in the snowpack may be more reactive, producing widely propagating avalanches.
Widespread storm slabs are expected, with wind affect creating deep, sensitive deposits in north and east facing terrain features.
A widespread natural cycle to size 3 occurred recently, with most activity on north through east aspects at treeline and alpine elevations. Avalanches ran within the storm snow and on buried weak layers.
With further snowfall and strong winds expected, another natural cycle may occur.
Another 50 cm of snow is possible by Monday afternoon, accompanied by strong to extreme southwest winds that will build deeper deposits on north- and east-facing terrain.
Storm snow continues to accumulate over heavily wind-affected surfaces, burying several weak layers of crust, surface hoar, and facets between 95 and 180 cm deep. These buried weaknesses are most concerning in sheltered treeline terrain.
Below, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and bonded.
Sunday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Monday
Cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
