Choose low consequence terrain.
Conditions are variable throughout the region, conservative decision making is the answer to this uncertainty.
Natural storm slabs could initiate at high elevations and run below treeline. These large avalanches could also step down to buried weak layers, resulting in very large avalanches.
Over the past few days small skier and sledder triggered avalanches have been reported. One of these avalanches was remotely triggered below treeline from 7 m away. This avalanche was on a southeast aspect.
We expect that a natural avalanche cycle started on Monday but observations have been limited in this region due to poor visibility.
Ongoing rain will saturate the upper snowpack below treeline. At treeline and above, 35 to 60 cm of storm snow will continue to be redistributed by strong southwest wind, forming deep deposits on north and east aspects. A thick crust from earlier this month can be found down 40 to 80 cm at treeline and below.
Two more crusts, with facets above them, can be found down 70 to 150 cm. These crusts remain a concern in shallow, rocky areas.
The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and bonded.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow at treeline, rain at lower elevation. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of rain at treeline, snow in the alpine. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2°C. Freezing level 2200 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow at treeline, rain at lower elevations. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 10 cm of snow at treeline, rain at lower elevations. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
