While avalanche hazard is improving with cooling temperatures, human-triggered persistent slab avalanches remain a concern in areas not capped by a thick surface crust.
This weak layer has slowly been gaining strength however concern remains for human-triggering the layer on sheltered north aspects above 2000 m. If triggered avalanches will be large and destructive.
Small wet loose avalanches may be reactive to human triggering in steep sun affected terrain if solar input is strong and the snow surface becomes moist.
No new avalanches were reported in the region on Thursday.
If you are heading into the backcountry please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network. We read every report!
A dusting of snow overlies a melt-freeze crust that covers the surface of the snowpack at all elevations. The exception is on north-facing terrain above 2000 m where the surface remained dry through the prolonged warming. Below the crust is 50 to 80 cm of moist snow.
100 to 250 cm down is a weak layer of facets overlying a crust. This layer was the culprit in many very large avalanches through the extended warm period. Uncertainty remains around how long this layer will persist with cooler temperatures.
Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled.
Friday Night
Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm. 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Saturday
Mainly sunny. 10 to 25 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday
Mainly cloudy with 1 to 6 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
