Snow continues to pile up, and will continue to stress test the snowpack.
Large avalanches are a concern with a buried weak layer.
Weak layers from recent dry, clear, and cold conditions persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. These layers could become more reactive with the added stress of new snow and warming temperatures.
A combination of new snow, wind, and mild temperatures will form reactive storm slabs at all elevations. Slabs could be particularly touchy in wind-loaded features.
Saturday:
A natural avalanche cycle with mostly large avalanches (up to size 3) happened in the region, on all aspects and at all elevations. There was a concentration of avalanche activity on north and east aspects in the alpine and at treeline.
Friday:
Several remote, natural and human triggered avalanches were reported on north, east and south aspects. These avalanches were both small and large (up to size 2.5) and in some cases stepped down to persistent weak layers
30 to 50 cm of new snow continues to accumulate atop layers of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and a thin crust on sun-affected slopes.
Below these layers, the upper snowpack is largely faceted and poorly bonded with another layer of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and a thin crust on sun-affected slopes. This layer, buried in late January, varies in depth but generally exists within the upper 100 cm of snow.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud with flurries. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
