Choose low consequence terrain.
Conditions are variable throughout the region, conservative decision making is the answer to this uncertainty.
Natural storm slabs could initiate at high elevations and run below treeline. These large avalanches could also step down to buried weak layers, resulting in very large avalanches.
A natural avalanche cycle started on Monday but observations have been limited in this region due to poor visibility. Avalanches have been observed up to size 3 in the northern part of the region.
Ongoing rain will saturate the upper snowpack below treeline. At treeline and above, 40 to 70 cm of storm snow will continue to be redistributed by strong southwest wind, forming deep deposits on north and east aspects. A thick crust from earlier this month can be found down 40 to 80 cm at treeline and below.
Another crust, with facets above it, can be found down 150 cm.
The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and bonded.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow at treeline, rain at lower elevations. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow at treeline, rain at lower elevations. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Thursday
Cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow at treeline, rain at lower elevations. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Friday
Cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
