Dangerous avalanche conditions persist.
Large avalanches are a concern with a weak layer buried in the snowpack.
Weak layers from recent dry, clear, and cold conditions persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. These layers could become more reactive with the added stress of new snow and warming temperatures.
A combination of new snow, wind, and mild temperatures will form reactive storm slabs at all elevations. Slabs could be particularly touchy in wind-loaded features.
On Friday:
Several remote, natural and human triggered avalanches were reported on north, east and south aspects. These avalanches were both small and large (up to size 2.5) and in some cases stepped down to persistent weak layers
A prevailing trend is persistent slab avalanches, on south and east aspects, with wind slabs on north aspects.
With more snow, wind, and warm temperatures in the forecast, we anticipate natural avalanche activity to increase in the coming days.
30 to 50 cm of new snow continues to accumulate atop layers of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and a thin crust on sun-affected slopes.
Below these layers, the upper snowpack is largely faceted and poorly bonded with another layer of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and a thin crust on sun-affected slopes. This layer, buried in late January, varies in depth but generally exists within the upper 100 cm of snow.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Saturday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow with up to 30 cm in the northwest of the region. 20 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
