6:30 Update: More snow fell overnight than forecast.
Storm snow continues to accumulate over a crust. Limit exposure to avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snow or wind loading.
A hard crust with a chance of surface hoar or facets overtop is buried 40 to 100 cm deep and is most common in alpine terrain. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating larger-than-expected avalanches.
New snow continues to accumulate at higher elevations, burying various old hard surfaces. Expect storm slabs to be most reactive on wind-loaded slopes.
A few small wind or storm slab avalanches (up to size 2) have been reported since the weekend, along with several loose dry avalanches (up to size 1) in very steep terrain.
Recent observations have been limited due to cloudy or foggy conditions, especially at higher elevations.
At treeline and above, between 10 and 40 cm of recent storm snow has buried either a crust of varying thickness or firm, settled snow. Below treeline, a thin crust is possible with largely moist or isothermal snow beneath.
A crust, with possible surface hoar or faceted snow above or below it, was buried on January 26 and is now roughly 60 to 120 cm deep. This layer is most likely to persist at higher elevations, while at lower elevations, it was likely rain-soaked and destroyed last week.
Snow depths at treeline across the region range from 250 to 450 cm.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. Trace amounts of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow, with the higher values expected in the western areas of the region. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 20 cm of snow, with the higher values expected in the western areas of the region. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
