Winter returned to the island mountains.
Triggering fresh storm slabs is possible on steep open slopes.
A short, intense storm on Tuesday brought 20 to 40 cm of new snow.
Storm slabs may still be triggered in parts of the island that received heavier accumulations, and on steep wind-loaded slopes.
Tuesday’s storm follows a long period of low danger and limited avalanche activity.
Looking ahead, concerns shift to the new snow: initially storm slabs in steep terrain, then lingering wind slabs, and eventually wet loose avalanches with sun and warming.
20 to 40 cm of fresh storm snow is expected to stabilize relatively quickly, but on the day after the storm could still be unstable on steep open slopes with deeper deposits.
This snow falls on a mix of crusts and moist or isothermal snow, depending on aspect and elevation.
Mixed precipitation at lower elevations may or may not help with access to higher terrain.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 mm of precipitation. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
