Strong winds, moderate to heavy precipitation and significant warming are creating dangerous conditions.
Choose conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazard.
A hard crust with surface hoar or facets overtop is buried 35 to 70 cm deep. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating larger than expected avalanches.
30 to 50 cm of new snow or rain is expected by Thursday. Storm slabs will be most reactive in wind-loaded areas or in areas seeing rain for the first time.
Freezing levels have risen to at least 1800 m. Wet loose avalanches will be likely as long as the freezing levels remain elevated.
With more precipitation, strong winds and warming in the forecast, the danger is expected to remain elevated with large natural avalanches possible and human-triggering likely.
Observations have been limited by poor visibility and difficult weather, so be sure to post your observations to the MIN if you get out!
Strong southwesterly winds and 20 to 35 mm of precipitation are expected to accumulate by Thursday morning, with freezing levels between 1600 and 1800 m. The snow surface will be wet below the snow/rain line.
A hard crust with surface hoar or facets that formed on January 26th is buried 35 to 70 cm deep. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating large avalanches. Previous rain events may have neutralized this problem at lower elevations.
The remaining snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 150 cm to 250 cm.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Thursday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 mm of rain at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 4 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 20 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
