Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist at higher elevations where storm snow and strong winds are building touchy storm slabs.
Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Storm snow continues to accumulate and build deep cohesive slabs that are very reactive to human-triggering. Expect to find the deepest deposits on north and east aspects.
On Sunday, a sledder accidentally triggered a size 2.5 wind slab avalanche. The avalanche occurred on a west aspect at 1580 m, near Beadnell Mountain.
On Saturday, the storm snow was reported as reactive to skier-triggering with storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5. Two natural, size 2, wind slab avalanches were reported in treeline features on a north aspect.
We expect human-triggered avalanche activity to continue Tuesday as the snowpack adjusts to the new load.
Storm snow continues to accumulate bringing storm totals between 60 to 130 cm in some areas. Strong southerly ridgetop winds have created variable surfaces in exposed areas and built deep deposits in lee features at alpine and treeline.
The new snow sits over a layer of loose snow above a crust that exists on all but high north aspects. It is unlikely the new snow will bond well to old surfaces in areas where it overlies weak facets or surface hoar.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.
Below 1000m the upper snowpack may be moist or wet.
Monday Night
Cloudy with 15 to 30 cm of snow above the rain-snow line. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline around -3 °C. Freezing level around 800m.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow above the rain-snow line. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -1 °C. Freezing level around 1000m.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -2 °C. Freezing level around 800m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around +3 °C. Freezing level around 3000m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
