Avoid avalanche terrain and exposure to overhead avalanche terrain.
Heavy rain and high freezing levels will continue to create very dangerous conditions.
Persistent slabs remain problematic at treeline and above, especially in areas without a supportive crust above the weak layer. Warm temperatures and precipitation will make this problem more sensitive.
Rising freezing levels and rain will continue to weaken the upper snowpack. Wet loose avalanches have the potential to entrain lots of wet, heavy snow, especially at lower elevations, where the snow pack is moist to the ground.
Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow will gradually become saturated with rain. Triggering will be likely as this snow sits over a supportive crust. Expect larger storm deposits deep in terrain features and in sheltered terrain.
On Wednesday, a natural wet avalanche cycle was reported (up to size 2) near London Ridge at treeline and below.
On Tuesday, storm slabs were reactive to both natural and rider-triggered at treeline from all aspects throughout the region.
Looking ahead, natural avalanches are expected at all elevations due to continuous rain and elevated freezing levels.
High freezing levels and steady rain are continuing to weaken the top 20 to 50 cm of surface snow of variable surface conditions, including crust, wind-affected snow and recent storm snow.
A crust, buried in early March, is down 30 to 50 cm on all aspects. The thickness of the crust depends on elevation (1 to 10 cm).
At upper elevations, where the crust is thinner or not present, problematic persistent slabs linger. They consist of multiple buried weak layers of surface hoar and/or crusts in the top 120 cm of the snowpack.
The mid/lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
Thursday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
Friday
Cloudy. 20 to 35 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
