Precipitation is expected to end Wednesday night, but it’s still unclear how much will fall as rain versus snow. If you're heading out, please share your post-storm observations on the MIN.
The freezing level is forecasted to drop slightly as precipitation and strong southwest winds continue. This may form fresh and reactive wind slabs in the highest alpine terrain. If you find 15 cm of new snow, watch for reactive wind slabs.
Although the snowpack has already seen significant rain and high freezing levels, small wet loose avalanches are still possible on steep slopes. It’s still unclear how much will fall as rain versus snow at upper elevations.
No recent avalanches have been reported. However, observations are extremely limited in this area.
If you're heading out into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the MIN.
Even if the region received up to 10 cm of fresh snow Tuesday night, rain has continued to saturate and melt the current snowpack, which is diminishing rapidly as you lose elevation.
A new melt-freeze crust has formed at or near the snow surface at upper elevations above 1600 m.
Treeline areas currently hold an estimated 30 to 50 cm of snow.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 15 mm of rain. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level lowering to 1600 m.
Thursday
Partially cloudy. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Friday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
