Before committing to your line, check for signs of windslab instability like shooting cracks, or fresh avalanches.
Dry, soft snow persists at high elevations on shaded slopes. Moderate southwest wind in the alpine has the potential to form reactive windslabs in leeward terrain.
Use extra caution below ridgecrests and in cross-loaded features. Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks.
Recent reports of avalanche activity have been limited to small (size 1) loose snow avalanches in steep, alpine features that face the sun.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Dry, powder snow remains on shaded (northerly) slopes. Moist snow or thin crusts exist on solar slopes and all aspects below ~1700 m.
The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled.
The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity in this area, but professionals continue to monitor for signs of it becoming active.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear. No new snow/rain expected. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2000 m. Treeline temperature around -2°C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. No new snow/rain expected until the evening. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature around 0°C. Freezing level 2200 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected overnight in the alpine, light flurries continuing through the day. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds, trending to strong at higher elevations. Snow level around 1500 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. No new snow expected. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at higher elevations. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
