Recent new snow continues to a add load to buried weak layers. Stick to lower angle terrain, as it is still possible to trigger persistent slab avalanches.
Three problematic persistent weak layers exist in the upper 150 cm of the snowpack. These layers continue to surprise people with instances of remote triggering and releasing on low angle slopes in unexpected areas.
Recent new snow combined with moderate southerly winds has built new storm and wind slabs.
Numerous natural and human-triggered small to large wind and persistent slab avalanches have been occurring daily. Some of them are being triggered accidentally or remotely (from a distance) and are occurring on all aspects and elevations.
Expect persistent slabs to continue to be reactive as snowfall continues to add load to the buried weak layers.
10 to 25 cm of recent new snow has been redistributed by moderate southerly winds.
Three persistent weak layers of concern may be found in the upper 150 cm of the snowpack:
25 to 60+ cm down is a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas, or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes from mid-February.
40 to 100+ cm down is the early-February layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain and a crust on sun-exposed slopes.
70 to 120 cm down is the late-January layer of surface hoar and facets over a melt-freeze crust.
All of these persistent layers have continued to produce large avalanches in the region.
The remainder of the snowpack below is well consolidated.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20-40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 15-25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20-40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20-60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
