6 am update: In the wake of the storm, avalanche danger will remain elevated at most elevations on Monday.
New snow is likely to be most reactive
in wind-loaded leeward terrain features at upper elevations
in sheltered areas where it may sit over a weak layer of surface hoar
After a heavy dose of rain overnight, lower elevations will be primed for loose wet avalanches on Monday morning. They will become less likely as temperatures cool and a crust forms.
Natural slab avalanches were observed up to size 2.5 in the alpine on Saturday. We are still awaiting observations from the later half of the storm over the weekend. A natural cycle up to size 3 is likely, storm slabs at upper elevations, with loose wet at lower elevations.
At upper elevations, around 80 cm of snow fell with strong wind over the weekend. In sheltered areas, the new snow may sit over a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals. At lower elevations, the storm concluded with heavy rain on Sunday night, which will harden into a crust as temperatures drop over the day Monday.
In general, this season's upper elevation snowpack is shaping up as the ideal coastal snowpack; deep, strong and uncomplicated. Snowpack depths in excess of 300 cm can be found at treeline elevations.
Sunday night
Cloudy. 30 to 50 mm of mixed precipitation. 90 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C in the morning, cooling to -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m dropping to valley bottom.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
