Avalanches are possible in wind-loaded areas at all elevations. Carefully evaluate wind loading as you move through terrain and investigate the bond of wind slabs to the crust below them before committing to an open slope.
Southwesterly winds are continuing to redistribute 20 cm of available snow into fresh wind slabs on north and east slopes at all elevations. Wind slabs may be sitting on a crust making them especially reactive and sensitive to skier triggering.
On Tuesday, clear weather allowed operators to see into higher elevations. Evidence of a widespread avalanche cycle from last weekend's storm was observed throughout the region. Several natural cornice and windslab avalanches were observed to size 2.5. Several loose dry avalanches were observed to size 2 out of steep rocky features. These avalanches were all likely caused by past wind loading, warming, or solar input.
Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network.
Southwest winds continue redistributing 20 cm of available snow into lee features at higher elevations. On steep solar surfaces, you will find a thin melt-freeze crust. In sheltered areas, 20 to 30 cm of recent storm snow remains unconsolidated, this overlies an additional 50 cm of past HST that has settled and is well bonded.
A melt-freeze crust formed in mid-January is now buried up to 80-120 cm deep. At the moment this layer appears to be gaining strength though in isolated areas small facets are still found above the crust. The snow below this layer is consolidating nicely. Buried 120-150 cm is a crust, formed near the end of December.
Snowpack depths are just below seasonal averages. Total amounts range from 150 to 200 cm at treeline, but decrease significantly below 1500 m.
Thursday Night
Overcast with continued light to moderate snowfall, 5 to 15 cm of accumulation. Winds southwest 30 km/h gusting 50 km/h. Treeline temperatures -2 °C and freezing levels slowly rise to 1200 m.
Friday
Cloudy with very light isolated flurries, 1 to 5 cm of accumulation. Winds southwest 30 km/h easing to 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures -6 °C and freezing levels of 500 m.
Saturday
Overcast with continued light to moderate snowfall, 5 to 15 cm of accumulation. Winds northwest 30 km/h gusting 50 km/h. Treeline temperatures -3 °C and freezing levels 1000 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with very light isolated flurries, 1 to 5 cm of accumulation. Winds northwest 20 km/h gusting to 60 km/h. Treeline temperatures -6 °C and freezing levels of 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
