There is uncertainty around how the snowpack will react to forecast rain and warming.
Start with conservative terrain and assess conditions as you travel.
Recent flurries combined with southerly winds formed wind slabs on lee alpine slopes. These slabs may be more reactive when snow switches to rain on Tuesday, or in areas where they overlie surface hoar.
No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.
Human-triggered slab avalanches in specific areas may be possible. Natural avalanches are considered unlikely at this time.
Observations are still limited, so be sure to post yours to the MIN if you get out!
Recent snow and southwesterly winds have formed small wind slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations. Tuesday's forecast is calling for potential light rain up to 1800 - 2000 m.
In the alpine, wind slabs overlie a hard crust that extends up to 2300 m. Surface hoar can be found on this crust in some locations at treeline and below. Recent rain likely neutralized the surface hoar problem at lower elevations.
A second layer of facets or surface hoar is buried around 50 to 100 cm deep, and is considered unlikely to trigger at this point.
The mid and lower snowpack have no layers of concern. Snowpack depths are around 150-200 cm at treeline.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 0 to 3 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 7 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
