Northwest Coastal

The new snow needs time to strengthen and bond to the old snow.

Take a cautious approach to traveling in the mountains.

Wednesday's storm produced a number of large natural avalanches. These were mostly on north and east aspects, in the alpine and at treeline. One notable size 3 avalanche stepped down to a buried weak layer from December.

40 to 60 cm of snow fell on Wednesday and Thursday, with southwest wind depositing more in lee areas. A layer of surface hoar is buried 50 to 90 cm deep, on all aspects and elevations. Buried weak layers from December, 150 to 250 cm deep, include crusts, facets, and/or surface hoar, and continue to produce large avalanches.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with flurries. 30 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -24 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 30 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -22 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.