Danger is elevated in alpine terrain where recent wind has formed large slabs and cornices.
Recent heavy snowfall and extreme wind have formed large wind slabs at upper elevations, with uncertainty about how easily they may be triggered.
Large cornices have formed and may become especially sensitive with sun exposure.
A widespread cycle of wet avalanches occurred Wednesday through Friday, producing both slab and loose avalanches up to size 3, along with cornice failures.
With cooler temperatures, the main concern has shifted to lingering wind slabs and cornices in the alpine.
A surface crust is forming below 2000 m, capping wet snow beneath. Above 2000 m, dry snow from the storm sits over moist snow that is gradually refreezing. The amount of dry snow in the alpine is highly variable due to wind and fluctuating freezing levels.
Deeper in the snowpack, older weak layers 70 to 100 cm deep were active during the recent cycle but are now unlikely to be a concern as the snowpack strengthens.
Saturday Night
Cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with sunny periods. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 cm of snow. 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
