Long Range Mountains

Conditions are generally safe with a wet, melting snowpack.

Several small cornice-triggered avalanches were observed in the Tablelands on Wednesday.

Saturday’s rain may trigger small wet avalanches in steep terrain, but the snowpack is already well adjusted to the warming.

New snow could form wind slabs on Sunday.

The snowpack has deteriorated with recent warm weather (see photos), and Saturday’s rain will further soften surface conditions. The snowpack consists of crusts and wet snow.

Many south and west-facing slopes are snow-free, except for gullies. North and east-facing terrain may still have enough coverage for riding and threshold depths for avalanches.

Friday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 5 mm of rain. 40 km/h south wind. Alpine temperature +5 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Saturday

Rain throughout the day with 10 to 20 mm by the evening then transitioning to snow. 40 km/h southeast wind. Alpine temperature drops to 0 °C as freezing level drops from 2500 m to sea level.

Sunday

5 to 10 cm of snow by the morning then partly clearing skies in the afternoon. 60 km/h west wind. Alpine temperature -3 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 50 km/h northwest wind. Alpine temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.