Recent storm slabs are likely to remain reactive. Stick to conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazard.
Two surface hoar layers can be found in the top meter of the snowpack in sheltered terrain. They have been unreactive recently, but rapid change due to new snow and warm temperatures may wake them up.
Storm slabs sit on a weak interface and will likely remain reactive.
Observations have been limited by poor visibility through the storm. Natural and explosive triggered avalanches up to size 2 have been reported over the weekend; storm and wind slabs at upper elevations and loose wet below treeline.
Looking forward, human-triggered avalanches will remain likely as natural activity subsides.
30 to 60 cm of recent storm snow overlies hard surfaces in wind exposed areas, facets and surface hoar in sheltered terrain, and crust on low elevation solar aspects.
Two layers of surface hoar from January can be found in the top meter of the snowpack.
A layer of facets on top of a crust from early December is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. This layer is generally not a concern in this region.
Monday night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow above 1000 m, light rain below. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow above 1300 m, light rain below. 80 to 90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow above 1000 m, light rain below. 60 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
