Heavy snow and strong winds keep avalanche danger "High." Stick to low-angle, non-avalanche terrain with no overhead hazard when planning your day.
Expect to find new wind slabs below ridge crests on North aspect terrain as they begin to rapidly develop during periods of heavy snowfall and strong winds.
No new avalanches have been reported in the last 2 days. A natural avalanche cycle is expected during Saturdays storm.
The incoming storm snow amounts are expected to average around 30 cm and in the most western reaches of the region exceed 50 cm. This new snow will accumulate on various surfaces, including surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain at treeline and below, thin melt-freeze crust on south-facing alpine slopes, and old storm snow at higher elevations. Above 1200 m, a crust is now estimated to be down 35 to 65 cm. The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled with no layers of concern.
Friday Night
Snow 10 to 25 cm. 25 to 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday
Snow 30 to 50 cm. 20 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Sunday
Snow 5 to 10 cm. 10-20 km/h south east ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Monday
Snow 5 to 10 cm . 10-20 km/h ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
