Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain.
Snow, rain, and wind will produce natural avalanche cycles.
A widespread layer of facets sits 70-100 cm deep. In shallower inland areas, depth hoar exists. Step down avalanches may trigger this layer, producing very large avalanches.
Fresh and reactive slabs will form overnight and continue to build on Wednesday. Expect the deepest and most reactive deposits to be on north and east facing slopes.
With heavy precipitation as snow or rain, and strong winds expected a natural slab avalanche cycle is likely. Persistent slab avalanches are also possible, more so in thin snowpack areas.
At upper elevations up to 40 cm of snow is possible by Wednesday, redistributed into deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes. Exposed south facing slopes likely remain scoured.
Slopes at treeline may receive rain, or a mix of rain and wet snow. A small surface hoar layer exists here, 60-90 cm deep. The lower snowpack consists of 60-100 cm of weak facets, with depth hoar in shallower areas.
Alpine snowpack depths vary widely due to wind effect, ranging from 130-250 cm across the region.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 25 to 40 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60-80 km/h south ridgetop wind, potentially gusting over 100 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level drops to 600 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 300 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
