Recent snow has accumulated atop a widespread crust.
Check the bond between new snow and the crust before committing to avalanche terrain.
A hard crust with a chance of surface hoar or facets overtop is buried 40 to 100 cm deep. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating larger-than-expected avalanches.
New snow may not be bonding well to an underlying crust. Expect storm slabs to be most reactive on wind-loaded slopes.
A few small avalanches (size 1 and 10 to 20 cm deep), both slab and loose dry, were reported on Sunday. With continued snowfall through Monday and Monday night, slab avalanches are expected to become more likely and increase in size.
Roughly 10 to 30 cm of recent snow has accumulated, accompanied by moderate southwest winds.
At treeline and above, the recent snow rests on a crust of variable thickness and strength. Below treeline, the upper snowpack remains largely moist or isothermal.
A widespread crust, with possible surface hoar or faceted snow either above or below it, was buried on January 26 and is now up to 100 cm deep.
Snow depths at treeline across the region range from 250 to 450 cm.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
