Avalanches are expected to be easy to trigger, especially in wind loaded areas.
Keep in mind that a persistent weak layer is now buried up to 80 cm. Avalanches on this layer will become harder to predict, so a conservative approach is important.
50-80 cm of snow sits on a persistent weak layer that was buried near the end of January. This layer consist of a melt-freeze crust in some areas, surface hoar in sheltered areas, and facets in some areas as well.
Storm slabs will likely continue to be reactive, especially in wind loaded areas.
TUESDAY NIGHT - Flurries, 5-15 cm / moderate southwest wind / alpine low temperature near -9
WEDNESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -9
THURSDAY - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries / moderate to strong west wind / alpine high temperature near -7
FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy with sunny periods / moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -6
Triggering avalanches remains likely on Wednesday, especially in wind loaded areas.
There were numerous reports of size 1.5-2 natural, human and explosives triggered avalanches in the region on Monday. Many of these failed on the recently buried persistent weak layer.
There were numerous size 1-2.5 natural, human and explosives triggered avalanches reported on Sunday. Several of these were reported to have failed on the recently buried persistent weak layer.
On Thursday and Friday, there were numerous reports of size 1-2 human triggered avalanches. These avalanches failed on the recently buried persistent weak layer.
There is now about 50-80 cm of recent storm snow sitting above a persistent weak layer that consists of facets in some areas, a melt-freeze crust in many areas, on a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes, and large surface hoar in sheltered areas.
There are potentially several more layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack, with the most notable one down about 80-120 cm. This layer was buried in early January.
A couple of crusts surrounded by weak faceted grains are buried deep within the snowpack and appear to be unreactive.
