Natural avalanches are expected on Tuesday with reactive storm slabs at higher elevations above the rain/snow line and loose wet avalanches below. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Snow accumulation (forecast above 1700 m) above the snow-rain line will likely build reactive slab avalanches. Slabs will be thickest in lee terrain features, as the snow will fall with strong southwest wind. Avoid avalanche terrain if you find more than 30 cm of snow accumulation.
Rain will soak the snowpack below the snow-rain line. Natural and human triggered wet snow avalanches are likely on Tuesday.
Yet another strong Pacific frontal system is slated to hit the Coastal regions tonight and persist until Wednesday morning bringing rising freezing levels, heavy precipitation, and strong to extreme wind.
Monday Night: 20 – 30 mm of rain/snow with freezing levels near 1400 m. Ridgetop wind strong from the southeast.
Tuesday: 25-45 mm of rain/ snow (only on the highest peaks) with forecast freezing levels 2000 m. Ridgetop wind strong-extreme from the South.
Wednesday: Generally a drying and cooling trend bringing a mix of sun and cloud, light southwesterly wind, and freezing levels near 900 m.
Natural avalanche activity will likely be the theme on Tuesday during and after the storm, with loose wet activity below the snow-rain line and storm and wind slab activity above.
60-80 mm of precipitation is forecast to accumulate Monday night through to early Wednesday morning, with it falling as snow above around 1700 m and rain below. This means that only the highest peaks will receive snow.
Above the snow-rain line, storm and wind slabs are expected to rapidly form and be reactive. Below the snow-rain line, wet loose avalanches will likely occur on all aspects. This is a significant amount of precipitation that will dramatically weaken the snowpack creating avalanches on Tuesday. This is a good time to wait out the storm and let the snowpack adapt, adjust, and strengthen before heading out into the backcountry.
The remainder of the snowpack is well-consolidated.
