The fresh snow has formed touchy storm slabs, especially in wind exposed terrain.
Stay conservative and watch for signs of instability.
Storm slabs may be reactive to rider triggering, especially in areas that may show signs of wind affect. If triggered, this problem may release deep on a hard crust near the base of the snowpack.
Last weekend a natural avalanche cycle occurred, and numerous storm slab avalanches were reported up to size 2.5 in the alpine and treeline. Dry loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were also reported from steep and unsupported slopes.
Forecast light to moderate winds may form reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain features.
If you head out into the backcountry, please submit a MIN.
10 to 15 cm of new snow fell on Sunday and Monday. 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.
In wind-exposed terrain, the new snow has likely stiffened into a slab and may be reactive to riders.
The bottom of the snowpack has a crust that sits just above the ground. The crust has acted as a bed surface for recent large avalanches.Snowpack depth is 100-180 cm at treeline.
Monday Night
Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 15 gusting to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Tuesday
Cloudy with some sunny periods. 10 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 15 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
