Buried weak layers can still be triggered by riders. Remain diligent and stick to low-consequence terrain.
Multiple buried weak layers continue to produce large avalanches that propagate across terrain features. The layers are mostly composed of surface hoar and facet layers found between 60 and 150 cm deep. Most activity to date has occurred between 1800 and 2200 m.
Riders triggered numerous avalanches within the recent storm snow on Saturday, most being about 40 cm deep and at treeline to alpine elevations.
A natural avalanche cycle occurred between December 26th and 28th that included large and very large (size 2 to 3) storm slab and persistent slab avalanches. Most avalanches have released between 1800 and 2200 m. Although persistent slab avalanche activity has quieted in the past few days, riders could still trigger them.
Around 30 to 40 cm of snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust that extends up to 2000 m. Moist snow or a surface crust may be found below treeline and on steep sun-exposed slopes to ridge top.
Buried weak layers continue to show signs of instability. The two prominent layers of concern are a 60 to 80 cm deep layer of surface hoar and a crust on south aspects that was buried in mid-December and an 80 to 150 cm deep layer of surface hoar and facets that was buried in mid-November.
Monday Night
Clear with no precipitation, 15 km/h southeast wind, light inversion, treeline temperature -4 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy, trace of new snow, 15 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -10 °C.
WednesdayMix of sun and cloud, trace of new snow, 15 km/h westerly wind, treeline temperature -8 °C.
ThursdayCloudy with up to 5 cm new snow, 30-40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
