Fresh and reactive wind slabs may form at treeline and above. Start conservative and watch for signs of instability like cracking or whumpfing.
Wind slabs may be reactive at ridgeline and in exposed terrain features.Expect sluffing or isolated storm slabs in wind protected areas, like the trees.
Natural avalanche activity has tapered. Large triggers like explosives continue to trigger slab avalanches up to size 2 on Wednesday.
Last weekend a natural avalanche cycle occurred, and numerous storm slab avalanches were reported up to size 2.5 in the alpine and treeline.
Forecast light to moderate winds may form reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain features, especially near ridgeline.
If you head out please consider submitting a MIN.
Up to 30 cm of snow fell last weekend. This brings storm snow accumulations around 50 to 60 cm over the past week. Reports specifically from the Lizard Range show a buried layer of graupel down 60 (ish) cm.
Stiffer wind-affected snow may be found near ridgelines and on open slopes. The surface snow remains soft in wind protected areas, like the trees.
The bottom of the snowpack has a crust that sits just above the ground. Snowpack depth is 100-180 cm at treeline.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 10 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with isolated flurries 2 to 5 cm. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
