The incoming storm will create dangerous avalanche conditions. We expect a natural avalanche cycle on Thursday; avoid avalanche terrain unless you have professional level training and experience.
Wind loaded slopes will be the most sensitive and dangerous, but many steep slopes will be suspect, even without any wind affect, especially during times of intense snow.
Upper snowpack: around 20 cm of recent snowMid-pack: a softer, weaker layer of less cohesive snow around 40 to 50 cm down. Lower-pack: Further down in the snowpack, there are reports of a thick melt-freeze crust and increasing strength.
At 1000 m the snowpack depth is around 90 cm. Lower treeline and below treeline elevation are still below the threshold for avalanches.
No new avalanches reported in our area lately. Keep sharing your observations via the MIN; it helps strengthen our information gathering.
Wednesday NightIncoming storm delivering 15 to 20 cm overnight with strong southerly winds. Treeline temperature -3 to -5 C. Freezing level around 500m.
Thursday
Another 10 to 20 cm of snow brings storm accumulations around 30 to 40 cm. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level steady around 500 to 700 m.
FridayLight snow adding 5 to 10 cm. Light to moderate southwest wind. Freezing level around 500m and around -5 C near the peaks.
SaturdayContinued snow with another 10 cm. Moderate to strong southerly wind. Slightly warmer than Friday.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
