If you venture into the high country in search of soft snow, exercise caution in wind-loaded areas. Reactive wind slabs may exits in lee terrain features.
New snow and southwest winds may form fresh wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. Older stiff wind slabs may exist on south slopes from previous strong northerly winds.
Challenging travel at low elevations has limited access to the mountains in many areas and no new avalanches have been reported.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). 🙏
At upper elevations, last week's snowfall was redeposited by strong southwest shifting to east winds. A hard crust exists on the surface on all aspects to at least 1600 m.
A layer of weak faceted snow above a hard crust formed in early February and is now buried 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is generally getting stronger and is shielded by crusts above it. It has not produced any recent avalanches.
Saturday Night
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, up to 5 cm new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Ridge wind 40 to 60 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperature drops to -7 °C. Freezing level drops to valley bottom.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries. Ridge wins 40 to 60 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Freezing level rises to 1500 m.
Monday
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 5 to 10 cm new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Ridge wind 50 to 80 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 1600 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, up to 5 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Ridge wind west 40 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
