Heightened avalanche conditions remain where winds formed slabs above a weak layer buried deep in the snowpack. Investigate the bond of slabs to surfaces below before committing to a slope.
Persistent slabs may be reactive to human triggering in areas, where winds have formed a slab above a layer of facets overlying a crust. Avalanches on this layer could propagate wider and run farther than expected.
On Monday, explosives control in the region produced a size 2 persistent slab avalanche that failed on faceted snow above the early February rain crust.
Previous moderate to strong winds varying in direction, formed wind affected surfaces on all aspects and at all elevations. In terrain sheltered from the wind, expect 30 to 50 cm of snow over the thick rain crust that formed in early February. In some areas, weak, sugary facets have formed above this crust.
At treeline and below, a sun crust may be found on the surface on aspects that face the sun.
Tuesday Night
Mainly cloudy. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline around -2 °C. Freezing level to 1500 m.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0°C. Freezing level at 1800 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0°C. Freezing level at 1900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
