Stormy conditions continue, keeping the avalanche danger elevated.
Stormy conditions will continue to build storm slabs, which may not bond well to underlying layers. Strong wind may increase slab depth and reactivity in wind-loaded slopes. Assess for slab development in high consequence terrain before committing.
Small to large (size 1 to 2) storm slab avalanches were triggered by riders, explosives, and naturally over the past couple days. Some of them were triggered by small pieces of cornices failing.
We anticipate similar avalanches will be likely for Tuesday.
More snow is forecast for Tuesday, which will build on the 30 to 40 cm of snow from the weekend. Recent strong to extreme southerly wind made deeper deposits in lee terrain features. All this snow may sit on a weak layer of surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded treeline and alpine slopes. The snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and on all aspects below 1500 m.
The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.
Monday Night
Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm with local amounts to 10 cm possible, 20 to 40 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -7 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 20 to 40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -7 °C, freezing level 1000 m.
WednesdayCloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -6 °C, freezing level 1300 m.
ThursdayPartly cloudy with isolated flurries, 10 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -4 °C, freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
