Large avalanches were triggered by skiers and riders on several buried weak layers over the past week. Stay disciplined and make conservative terrain choices.
Multiple weak layers are found between 40 and 150 cm deep. Riders have triggered large avalanches that are propagating across terrain features. Most activity has been observed above 2000 m.
After a dynamic period of natural and human-triggered avalanches earlier this week, reports of new avalanches have started to taper. However, with little change in the snowpack structure triggering large persistent slab avalanches remains a concern. Human-triggered avalanches are still likely in alpine and treeline terrain, especially in steep, shallow rocky areas. This notable avalanche continues to provide evidence that the layers described in the snowpack summary are with us for a while.
Roughly 40 cm of recent snow has settled into a slab that overlies weak faceted grains. The snow is also stressing buried weak layers, including:
A surface hoar layer buried in mid-December that is 40 to 60 cm deep
Weak faceted snow and decomposing crusts near the bottom of the snowpack, ranging from 70 to 150 cm deep.
These layers have produced large avalanches over the past week and need more time to strengthen.
Wednesday Night
Mainly cloudy overnight, no precipitation. 5 to 10 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -7 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy, a trace of new snow, 5 to 10 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.
FridayCloudy with sunny periods, possible flurries, 10 to 15 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -5 °C.
SaturdayA mix of sun and clouds, increasing through the day, trace amounts of snow. 5 to 15 km/h south wind, treeline temperatures -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
