High avalanche danger means travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Up to 70 cm of new snow will form reactive slabs today. Use caution in steep, exposed areas where the wind forms deeper deposits.
Below treeline, this new snow will just cover lots of early season hazards.
Throughout Tuesday, we expect new snow and southwest winds will form triggerable slabs. Watch for building slabs, especially on lee terrain features, and in the west of the region where storm totals are expected to be greater.
Over the weekend, several size 1 wind slab and loose dry avalanches were triggered by skiers in steep terrain. One natural size 2.5 avalanche was observed in the alpine on the north side of Mt Frink.
40 to 80 cm of snow is expected to fall by the end of the day Tuesday, greatest in the south and west of the region, with strong southwest winds. Expect deposits to be deeper and touchier in exposed areas and upper elevations.
This snow falls on previously wind-affected surfaces at upper elevations. Up to 1400 m, it falls on a crust.
The remainder of the snowpack is strong, with numerous hard melt-freeze crusts.
Treeline snow depths generally range from 50 to 150 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly below 1000 m where there has been more rainfall.
Below treeline, before this storm, traveling on skis was almost impossible due to lack of snow.
Monday Night
Cloudy with 30 to 60 cm snow, greatest in the west of the region, southwest alpine wind 80 to 100 km/h, freezing level around 1100 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm snow, greatest in the west of the region, northwest alpine winds 60 to 80 km/h, freezing level 900 m.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with no precipitation, northwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level 500 m.
Thursday
Partly cloudy with trace snow, northwest alpine winds 50 to 75 km/h, freezing level drops to surface.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
