Expect challenging travel navigating refrozen surfaces and avalanche debris.
Uncertainty in the snowpack warrants a conservative approach to large, steep alpine terrain.
The likelihood of avalanches failing on buried weak layers is decreasing, but we are uncertain how quickly. High-consequence slopes should be approached with caution.
A natural avalanche cycle occurred last week from rain and warm temperatures. Avalanche danger has decreased with cooling temperatures.
Concern for persistent slab avalanches remains in isolated areas in the alpine where the snowpack was not significantly impacted by this warming.
A week ago, a fatal avalanche involving one snowmobiler occurred in the Hasler riding area. For more details on this incident, see the Fatal Avalanche Incident report.
Cooling temperatures have left a surface crust of varying thickness at all elevations. At upper elevations, up to 10 cm of dry snow may exist on top of this crust.
A layer of facets formed during the mid-January cold snap exists down 30 to 60 cm. This layer may remain a concern in the alpine where it was not significantly impacted by rain and warm temperatures.
In areas east of the Divide the snowpack is shallow and faceted with depths of 60 to 100 cm around treeline.
Saturday Night
Mainly clear. Alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
Mainly clear. Alpine wind northwest 10 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries. Alpine wind southeast 40 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries. Alpine wind west 15 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
