We are keeping the alpine rating elevated due to forecast winds, available snow to move, and difficulty forecasting how the basal facets will react. Cooling temperatures and calming winds this weekend may improve the danger.
Past winds have created wind slabs in alpine and some exposed treeline locations. Incoming strong winds over the next two days may add to these. If initiated, these may step down to the deep, persistent layer.
The bottom layer of the snowpack is facetted and weak. Human triggering of this deep, persistent layer could result in a large avalanche.
No new avalanches were observed or reported on Wednesday.
Previous SW winds have created wind slabs in the alpine and exposed treeline locations. Below this is a semi-supportive mid-pack that may include a raincrust (1-7 cm thick) that exists up to 2300m. The lower snowpack is facetted and weak. Treeline snowpack amounts range from 50-90cm.
A trace of snow is expected Thursday and 2cm West of the Divide. Mild temperatures continue with freezing levels rising from valley bottom to 1600-1700m in the afternoon. Alpine winds will be SW 40-50 on Thursday and 55-65 on Friday. A cold front will arrive on Friday night with a few cm of snow and cool temperatures for the weekend.
For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.
