Conservative terrain selection is critical right now.
Choosing low-consequence terrain is the best way to avoid avalanches.
Two surface hoar layers can be found in the top meter of the snowpack in sheltered terrain. Recent snowfall, wind, sun, and warming will add stress to these layers, and they may become reactive.
Storm slabs sit on a weak interface and are expected to be sensitive to human triggering. Deeper deposits of wind-transported snow may exist in leeward and cross-loaded terrain, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
On Sunday There were several avalanches up to size 3 reported throughout the region.
Wind-transported snow has likely built deeper slabs on northerly aspects at upper elevations. South-facing slopes have formed a crust and lower-elevation snow may be crusty as freezing levels fall.
The upper metre of the snowpack is complicated. This snow sits above several significant weak layers that formed during the January and February dry spells. These include facets, surface hoar (in sheltered terrain), and crust on solar aspects.
A layer of facets on top of a crust from early December is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. This layer is generally not a concern in this region.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures +2. Freezing level 1300 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures +2. Freezing level 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
