Some areas in the southern parts of the region received up to 20cm of new snow on Tuesday. Winds will deposit this fluffy, new snow into wind slabs pretty quickly in lee areas. Continue to be suspicious of old, firm wind slabs especially in high consequence terrain features.
Up to 15cm of low density snow fell in some areas on Monday night. Because this snow is so fluffy, southwesterly winds will blow it into wind slabs on lee aspects fairly quickly.
In steep and confined terrain be aware that loose snow avalanches can get kind of pushy. Sluff management could be necessary.
No new slab avalanches have been reported from the area in the last 72hrs. However, the area did receive 20 cm of fresh snow in some places and Dry Loose avalanches to size 1+ were reported on Tuesday.
10-25cm of new, low density powder (the higher amounts are in southern areas) overlies extensive wind effect in the alpine and at tree line. Wind slabs of various ages in lee areas (typically easterly aspects) and scouring in windward areas. A melt-freeze crust can be found below 2100 m. It may be on the surface on windward slopes and buried 30 to 60 cm deep in lee terrain.
The middle of the snowpack is consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack.
The average snowpack depth is 130 cm. Up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.
Wednesday night
Mostly clear. Wind from the southwest at 40 km/h. Alpine temperature -10˚C.
Thursday
Clear. Wind from the southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h at higher elevations. Temperature -8˚C in the morning rising to -4˚C in the afternoon.
FridayClouds returning. Flurries delivering 2-4 cm. Winds from the southwest 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Temperature -7˚C.
SaturdayMostly cloudy. Flurries delivering 2-4 cm. Winds from the southwest 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Temperature -5˚C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
