High elevations is where you are most likely to trigger or encounter avalanches. The data upon which we build this forecast is limited; please assess conditions as you travel and adjust your objectives, terrain choices, and travel techniques to match the conditions encountered.
Dry snow avalanches might be found at high elevations, especially on shady northerly slopes. South and southwest wind may form deeper, more reactive deposits of wind slab on leeward slopes.
No avalanche reports were received Thursday or Friday. There are few eyes out in the mountains so this doesn't mean there were no avalanches to report.
Wednesday: Storm slabs (80 cm deep) up to size 3 on northwest through northeast aspects at 2100 m and above. Also smaller storm slabs (30 cm deep) were reported running on the crust, but at lower elevations they broke through that crust and entrained wet snow below.
Last week the region was deluged with rain at most elevations. There should be some dry snow near the highest peaks; but is it 10 cm or 40 cm?
High elevation shady slopes with recent dry snow is where slab avalanche problems are most likely. This snow rests on a widespread crust; the exception is on north-facing alpine slopes where the storm snow could be sitting on old faceted surfaces, and on surface hoar in some sheltered areas.
Elsewhere, a thick rain crust or settled moist snow exists at the surface. Avalanche danger will be closely coupled to daytime warming and melting. The more the crust weakens, and the deeper the wetness goes, the greater the hazard from wet loose avalanches.
The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. In some areas, the lower snowpack may have a layer of weak facets near the ground.
Saturday Night:
Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Only a trace of new snow. Freezing level falling to around 1400 m. Mostly light, but gusting to moderate, SW wind.
Sunday:
Overcast with with periods of snow during the day. Accumulations of 5 to 10 cm near mountain top. Freezing level around 2000 m. Moderate and gusty southerly wind. Treeline temperatures around 0 to -5 C.
Monday:
Snow continues through the night with additional accumulations of 5 to 15 cm near mountain top. Snow ending in the morning then a mix of sun and cloud. Flurries with only a trace of new. Freezing level around 1700 m and treeline temperatures near zero. Light southwesterly winds.
Tuesday:
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Only a trace of new snow. Freezing level around 1600 m and treeline temperatures around zero. Light southwest winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
