Continue to choose simple, mellow terrain. Signs of buried weak layers may be hard to find.
Remain especially cautious on high northerly slopes & areas without a thick, supportive crust.
Several persistent weak layers exist, with the most problematic ones lying 30 to 60 cm deep. These layers remain a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust under the new snow.
Tues: South of Golden, several small to large natural persistent slab avalanches were reported at treeline and above up to size 2.5, with some being triggered by falling cornice chunks. These are suspected to have failed on the late January weak layer.
Mon: A few small size 1 wind slabs and sluffing were observed.
Looking forward: Avalanches on buried weak layers may be difficult to trigger, but if one is triggered, it is likely to be large and destructive.
5 to 10 cm of recent snow is settling over a widespread melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere but high north-facing slopes. In wind sheltered areas it may have buried a layer of surface hoar.
A couple of weak layers consisting of a crust, facets or surface hoar from February and January remain a concern, buried 30 to 60 cm. Additionally, a layer of facets from early December is buried 70 to 120 cm. In many areas, facets or depth hoar exist at the base of the snowpack. These layers, particularly the late-January layer, remain a primary concern at upper elevations where strong surface crusts are absent.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear. 5 to 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom. Treeline low around -7 °C.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. Ridgetop wind shifting to 10 to 20 km/h from the west by the end of the day. Freezing level rising to 1700 m. Treeline high around -2 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom overnight, rising to 1700 m through the day.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 8 cm. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to near valley bottom overnight, rising to 1800 m through the day.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
