Use caution as you transition into wind-affected areas, especially around ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
Deeper weak layers remain a concern for step-down avalanches in wind-loaded terrain.
Strong southerly winds have redistributed 30 - 40 cm of new snow into deep pockets at higher elevations. Be especially cautious transitioning into wind-loaded terrain, more reactive deposits lurk in leeward features.
The winter snowpack is not as deep as usual, and along with a cold and dry early winter, the lower snowpack consists of weak, unconsolidated facets and depth hoar crystals. With weak basal layers, a cautious approach to large open terrain features is required especially around rocky or thin areas.
On Monday, evidence of a natural avalanche cycle, both wet slab and wet loose avalanches, was observed on all aspects at all elevations. Avalanches were up to size 3 and likely occurred during the rain event Sunday night.
Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.
30 - 40 cm of storm snow has fallen since December 22. New snow has been redistributed by strong southerly winds into deep pockets in the alpine. This weekend's warm temperatures and rain have impacted lower elevations, a melt-freeze crust has formed below 1600 m. The new snow covered a layer of weak and unconsolidated snow produced by the recent cold weather.
The winter snowpack is not as deep as usual, and along with a cold and dry early winter, the lower snowpack consists of weak, unconsolidated facets and depth hoar crystals. Snowpack depths average 50-200 cm at treeline.
Tuesday Night
Mainly cloudy. Precipitation continues tonight with another 10-15 mm. Variable 25 km/h winds. Ridgetop low temperature -7. Freezing levels valley bottom.
Wednesday
Isolated flurries, 2-5 mm. Southwesterly winds 20 km/h. Ridgetop high temperature -8. Freezing levels valley bottom.
ThursdayCloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, 2-5 mm. Southerly winds 20 km/h. Ridgetop high temperature -4. Freezing levels hover from 500 -1000m.
FridayCloudy with flurries, 5-10 mm. Westerley 20 km/h winds. Ridgetop high temperature -4. Freezing levels hover near 800 - 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
