Northwest Inland

Strong winds, moderate to heavy precipitation and significant warming are creating dangerous conditions.

Choose conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazard.

Moderate

• We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.
• We are uncertain about how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

With more precipitation, strong winds and warming in the forecast, the danger is expected to remain elevated with large natural avalanches possible and human-triggering likely.

Observations have been limited by poor visibility and difficult weather, so be sure to post your observations to the MIN if you get out!

Strong southwesterly winds and 15 to 25 mm of precipitation is expected to accumulate overnight on Tuesday, with freezing levels between 1600 and 1800 m. The snow surface will be wet below the snow/rain line.

A hard crust with surface hoar or facets that formed on January 26th is buried 35 to 70 cm deep. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating large avalanches. Previous rain events may have neutralized this problem at lower elevations.

The remaining snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 150 cm to 250 cm.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy. 15 to 25 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy. 15 to 35 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
• The first few hours of rain will likely be the most dangerous period.
• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.