Recent storm snow at upper elevations will take some time to settle and bond as the temperature gradually cools through the day Saturday.
30-60 cm of snow has accumulated over the previous 2 days. This snowfall was accompanied by moderate to strong southeast and southwest wind. Expect to find thick wind slabs in lee terrain.
As the temperature cools through the day Saturday the likelihood of triggering wet loose avalanches at lower elevations will decrease.
On Friday there were numerous reports of a naturally triggered size 2-3 wind and storm slabs in alpine terrain on northwest through northeast aspects. There were also numerous reports of low elevation wet loose and wet slab avalanches both naturally and explosives triggered size 1-2.
There were also several reports of glide slabs releasing naturally size 1-2.
Below 1400 m the snow surface has either frozen into crust or is wet.
Recent snowfall amounts across the region range from 30 - 50 cm at upper elevations. This snow has been redistributed by southeast through southwest wind likely forming thick wind slabs in lee terrain.
A layer of facets buried at the end of November can be found near the ground.
The snowpack depth varies between 200 and 300 cm at treeline.
Saturday Night
Cloudy with light rain or snow, accumulation 2-4 cm above 1100 m, southeast wind 20 - 40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, freezing level 900 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, south west wind 15-25 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.
MondayMainly cloudy, southeast wind 10-20 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.
TuesdayCloudy with flurries, southeast wind 15-30 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
