Dangerous avalanche conditions persist.
Snow and wind are forming fresh storm slabs, further stressing weak layers deep in the snowpack.
Further snowfall and wind continue to add stress to buried weak layers. Facets, surface hoar, and crusts in the snowpack may become more reactive and have the potential to produce very large, destructive avalanches.
Ongoing snowfall and strong winds continue to produce widespread storm slabs. Expect larger and more reactive slabs in wind-loaded terrain, especially on north through east aspects.
A widespread natural and explosive triggered large (up to size 3) avalanche cycle continued through the week. Most of the reported activity is on north through east aspects at treeline and alpine elevations. Avalanches ran within the storm snow and on buried weak layers.
Natural avalanche activity remains possible with ongoing snow and strong winds.
15 to 30 cm of new snow in the past 48 hours and has formed widespread storm slabs. Moderate to strong southerly winds have been sustained. Expect to encounter wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline on most lee aspect terrain.
Since early February, new snow has buried (and continues to load) a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar, facets, and crusts. This weak layer is most likely in wind-sheltered terrain and is buried roughly 90 to 180 cm deep.
Below this layer, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 25 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
