Incoming storm on the radar !
Rain, elevated freezing levels, and extreme wind will impact the region.
Avalanche danger will increase as the storm progresses.
Moderate rain on a moist snowpack will destabilize it. The likelihood of natural wet loose avalanches will increase as the storm progresses.
Warming signs of instability, such as pinwheels, tree bombs, and heavy wet snow, were observed earlier this week.
Our field team visited Elk Mountain on Wednesday. Here is their MIN report.
If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network (MIN) report.
A weak melt-freeze crust may have formed at the snow surface with overnight cooling. Continued mild temperature has transformed the top 30 cm of the snowpack into moist snow.
Down 45 to 60 cm from the surface, a thick melt-freeze crust is found. At mid-elevations, the entire snowpack is moist to the ground.
Snow depths at treeline vary across the region. Currently, 250 cm is reported near Mt. Washington, 180 cm near Elk Mountain, and 150 cm near Mt Cain.
Thursday Night
Cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4°C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 15 to 20 mm of rain. 70 to 90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +6°C. Freezing level 2500 to 3000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 30 to 50 mm of heavy rain. 70 to 90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2°C. Freezing level 2500 m lowering to 1000 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of wet snow at upper elevations. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level 1000 to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
