Alpine conditions remain uncertain in the wake of the storm. Take an assessment mindset if you are probing into higher elevations and raise your guard if you encounter wind-loaded new snow.
Wind loaded dry new snow accumulations in high alpine areas may remain reactive to human triggers on Sunday. This problem won't exist where a crust has formed on the surface.
Periods of sunshine may destabilize snow on south-facing slopes on Sunday. This problem will likely be limited to new snow accumulations.
We don't have reports from Saturday's storm yet, but it's likely a small natural avalanche cycle took place at higher elevations where new snow accumulated, was blown around by extreme winds, and impacted by rain. Limited wind slab hazard may still exist in the high alpine.
Otherwise, no new or even recent avalanches were reported on the Island during the extended snowfall drought.
A crust should form on the surface at treeline and below Saturday night but break down with solar warming on Sunday. In the alpine, 10 to 20 cm of dry snow may have accumulated in the storm. Accumulations will taper sharply with elevation. Heavy rain fell mostly on vegetation below treeline.
Where snow accumulated, it buried a widespread crust over a thoroughly settled snowpack. It's still about a metre deep in the alpine, but becomes patchy and disconnected at treeline. There is very little snow below treeline.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and clouds with isolated wet flurries. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with wet flurries bringing 5 to 15 cm of new snow above treeline. 20 - 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Tuesday
Becoming partly cloudy with flurries easing after bringing 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 5 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
