New snow will be falling on a crust that extends to the mountain top in many places.
Check the bond between new snow and the crust before committing yourself to avalanche terrain.
A hard crust with surface hoar or facets overtop is buried 35 to 110 cm deep. Wind slabs could step down to this layer, creating larger than expected avalanches.
10-20 cm of new snow and moderate southerly winds are creating windslabs on northern aspects.
Numerous wet loose avalanches to size 3 were reported by operators in the area over the past few days.
Observations have been limited by poor visibility and difficult weather, so be sure to post your observations to the MIN if you get out!
Moderate southwesterly winds and 10-20 cm of snow are expected to accumulate by Sunday morning, with freezing levels lowering to 800m. The snow surface will be wet below the snow/rain line.
A hard crust with surface hoar or facets that formed on January 26th is buried 45 to 80 cm deep. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating large avalanches.
The remaining snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 150 cm to 250 cm.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
