UPDATED AT 6 AM: Very dangerous avalanche conditions, natural avalanches are likely. Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Ongoing flurries and increasing wind will continue to build slabs within the recent storm snow. Additional loading may trigger slabs on the Christmas crust, especially on wind-loaded slopes at treeline and above.
No new avalanches reported.
As the storm tapers off Wednesday morning, human-triggered avalanches remain likely.
On Monday, explosives triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2. Additionally, two natural cornice failures triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2.5 on the slope below.
Roughly 30 cm of storm snow is being redistributed by strong southwest winds. This overlies wind affected snow at upper elevations and settling snow at treeline. A spotty surface hoar layer can be found in sheltered terrain features.
A melt-freeze crust that formed Dec 24 can be found down 40 to 60 cm from the surface at elevations around 2000 m and below.
The mid and lower snowpack is characterized by multiple crusts, with moist snow persisting near the base in some areas.
Snow depths at treeline generally range from approximately 100 to 220 cm.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
