Although the probability of triggering avalanches may be on the decline, the potential consequences remain significant.
A layer of buried surface hoar in the mid snowpack remains a concern. Smaller avalanches have potential to step down to deeper layers.
The base of the snowpack consists of weak facets and/or depth hoar in most alpine areas. Consequences could be severe if triggered.
Numerous natural and explosively triggered avalanches were reported over the weekend, predominantly small in size (1 and 1.5) and storm or wind slab avalanches.
Of note was a large (size 2.5) avalanche that scrubbed down to basal facets, which occurred over the weekend in very steep alpine terrain, on a northerly aspect.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Approximately 20 cm of recent snow sits atop a complex, generally weak snowpack.
The mid and lower snowpack contains several potentially problematic weak layers. Of particular note is a layer of surface hoar down roughly 40 to 80 cm from the surface.
Weak basal facets characterize the lower snowpack, especially in alpine terrain.
Snowpack depths at treeline range from 60 to 140 cm.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature - 12 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud with trace snow amounts, west alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with 2 to 5 cm of snow, northeast alpine winds 0 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
