Strong winds, moderate to heavy precipitation and significant warming are creating dangerous conditions.
Choose conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazard.
A hard crust with surface hoar or facets overtop is buried 35 to 70 cm deep. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating larger than expected avalanches.
30 to 60 mm of new snow or rain has fallen in the previous days. Storm slabs will be most reactive in wind-loaded areas.
Freezing levels have risen to at least 1800 m. Wet loose avalanches will be likely as long as the freezing levels remain elevated.
Numerous wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 were reported by operators in the area on Wednesday.
With more precipitation, strong winds and warming in the forecast, the danger is expected to remain elevated with large natural avalanches possible and human-triggering likely.
Observations have been limited by poor visibility and difficult weather, so be sure to post your observations to the MIN if you get out!
Strong southwesterly winds and 20 to 50 mm of precipitation are expected to accumulate by Friday morning, with freezing levels between 1800 and 20000 m or higher. The snow surface will be wet below the snow/rain line. Snow is presumed to be isothermal below treeline.
A hard crust with surface hoar or facets that formed on January 26th is buried 35 to 70 cm deep. Storm slabs could step down to this layer, creating large avalanches.
The remaining snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 150 cm to 250 cm.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear skies. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
