Avoid areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin and triggering a weak layer is more likely.
Up to a meter of snow overlies a weak layer, a crust and surface hoar layer, formed in mid-January. This layer may still be reactive to human triggering on slopes where the upper snowpack feels stiff or slabby.
A weak layer buried 100 to 300 cm remains a concern. Avoid shallow rocky areas where the snow transitions from thick to thin and triggering this layer is more likely. If triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.
There has been no avalanche activity reported in the past few days.
However, operators in the area are still concerned about a weak layer of facets over a crust from early December that has produced large avalanches.
Previous strong winds have scoured terrain at treeline and above on all aspects. Ongoing cold temperatures have softened the surface of wind affected terrain in many areas. In sheltered terrain 30 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.
Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 50 to 100 cm deep.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December varies in depth from 100 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.
Friday Night
Clear skies. 20 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 40 to 70 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 0 to 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 0 to 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
