Fresh snow covers a crust that extends to the mountain top in many places.
Check the bond between new snow and the crust before committing to avalanche terrain.
Moderate southerly winds will impact loose snow at upper elevations. Investigate the bond between the fresh snow and the old surface before committing to your line.
A hard crust with surface hoar or facets overtop is buried 35 to 110 cm deep. Wind slabs could step down to this layer, creating larger than expected avalanches.
Numerous wet loose avalanches to size 3 were reported by operators in the area over the past few days.
Observations have been limited by poor visibility and difficult weather, so be sure to post your observations to the MIN if you get out!
Up to 15 cm of snow accumulated through Sunday with moderate southwesterly winds and freezing levels lowering to 800 m. Wet snow or a crust will cover the surface at lower elevations.
A hard crust with surface hoar or facets that formed on January 26th is buried 45 to 80 cm deep. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating large avalanches.
The remaining snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 150 cm to 250 cm.
Sunday Night
Cloudy. 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Monday
Cloudy. 3 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
