Continue to choose conservative terrain and give the storm snow time to settle.
We have some uncertainty in the potential for persistent slab avalanches after the recent storm.
Persistent weak layers are unlikely to be triggered where they are capped by a thick crust. Triggering remains possible in upper treeline and in the alpine where a substantial crust may not be present.
Up to 40 cm of new storm snow has formed storm slabs at all elevations. The largest and most reactive will be found on northerly aspects near ridge crests.
We expect a storm and wind slab avalanche cycle occurred on Friday, initial reports of natural avalanches up to size 2.5 have started to trickle in at the time of publishing.
On Thursday a few persistent slab avalanches, up to size 3 were observed. These avalanches released in the alpine and at upper treeline elevations, likely where the December 16 crust was thin or breakable.
Up to 40 cm of new storm snow has been redistributed by southerly wind into deeper deposits on north aspects.
70 to 110 cm of settling snow sits over a prominent crust formed in mid-December that extends up to 2300 m. Where this crust is thick and supportive, it caps a few weak layers from December and November, making them difficult to trigger.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 35 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
