Storm slabs may still be reactive, especially where they overlie surface hoar.
Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
25 to 50 cm of storm snow combined with southwesterly winds has accumulated in the region. Surface hoar buried under this new snow at lower elevations may cause surprising reactivity.
On Thursday, a few size 1-1.5 sluffs were reported, and cracking was observed in some wind-affected areas.
Skier traffic and ski cutting produced a few size 1 to 1.5 wind slabs in the region on Wednesday, consistent with an expected uptick in avalanche conditions with ongoing storms.
Observations have been limited by poor visibility and difficult weather, so be sure to post your observations to the MIN if you get out!
25 to 50 cm of recent storm snow has accumulated in the region since Monday. At upper elevations, it overlies old wind affected snow or a crust. In sheltered areas below 1000 to 1400 m, it overlies large surface hoar that may make storm slabs more reactive. Rain may have neutralized the problem at lower elevations.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 150 cm to 250 cm.
Friday Night
Cloudy. 0 to 4 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m dropping to 1200 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1350 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1150 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
