While danger ratings are dropping and natural activity may stop, dangerous avalanche conditions still exist.
Stick to conservative terrain, avoid large slopes and overhead hazard
Facets or surface hoar above a thick crust persists deep in the snowpack. Storm slab avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in very large, destructive avalanches.
Deeper and more sensitive slabs exist on north and east facing slopes near ridges. Danger may rise quickly if the sun appears.
Good travel habits are key, minimize your exposure to avalanche terrain and evaluate safe spots with caution.
Widespread avalanche activity was observed Thursday. Natural and human-triggered avalanches were reported within the storm snow, including several notable remotely triggered slabs to size 2.5, which indicates a very sensitive snowpack. Check out this MIN for more details.
Avalanches occurred on all aspects and on several bed surfaces - including within the storm snow and on buried weak layers up to 80 cm deep.
40-80 cm of recent snow has been heavily wind affected in exposed terrain. Storm snow sits over wind-affected surfaces and old wind slabs in exposed areas at all elevations.
Multiple weak layers exist in the upper and mid snowpack. The most concerning layer is found down 30 to 100 cm with a layer of facets (or in isolated areas, preserved surface hoar) above a crust. The storm snow and buried weak layers have produced recent large avalanche activity. Although natural avalanche activity may taper off, human triggering remains likely.
Friday Night
Clear skies with some cloud. 10-20 km/hr easterly winds. Freezing level valley bottom.
Saturday
Cloudy with possible sunny breaks and isolated flurries. 10-25 km/h southerly wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing levels reach 500 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. 10-20km/hr southeast winds. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing levels reach 500 m.
Monday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. 10-20km/hr southwest winds. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing levels reach 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
