North Rockies

Significant new snow is overloading buried weak layers, which are primed for rider-triggering.
Stick to simple terrain, free from overhead slopes.

Stormy conditions are limiting avalanche observations, but we suspect that natural avalanches were releasing during periods of heavy snow loading on Wednesday. The photo below shows one naturally triggered avalanche near Core Lodge.

Stormy conditions continue, with more snow building on the 50 to 80 cm we've received since the weekend. The snow continues with strong southwest wind, forming deeper and touchier deposits in lee terrain features.

All this snow is loading a weak layer of surface hoar and/or faceted grains found in the middle of the snowpack. The layer of facets may be associated with a hard melt-freeze crust. In thin snowpack areas, faceted grains may extend to the ground.

Average snow depths at treeline range from 80 to 120 cm and decrease rapidly at lower elevations.

Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C, much colder in the north, and warmer in the south.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C, colder in the north.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.
• Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
• Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.