Large storm slabs will be most reactive in wind affected terrain.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Persistent weak layers of crusts/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack remain a concern in this region, especially where there is not a thick crust under the recent snow.
65 to 150 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed reactive storm slabs overlying a weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets.
A widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle occurred over the last five days on all aspects/elevations. Storm slabs up to size 2 were reported at treeline and below.
There have been very limited alpine observations, but we suspect numerous natural very large avalanches (size 3.5 or larger) have occurred.
Recent snowfall amounts have varied from 65 to 150 cm, with the highest amounts being in the south of the region. The recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed reactive storm slabs overlying a weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets. This weak layer will make large storm slabs more likely to trigger.
There are multiple persistent weak layers consisting of crust/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
