A big change in weather is on its way!
Mixed precipitation will add load to an upper snowpack with known weaknesses.
Choose only conservative terrain with no overhead hazard.
Recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed wind slabs that will be more reactive with incoming precipitation and continued strong winds. Open terrain above 2000 m will be likely trigger areas.
Persistent slabs remain possible to human trigger at treeline and above, especially in areas without a supportive crust above the weak layer. Warm temperatures and precipitation will make this problem more sensitive.
Rising freezing levels and rain will soften surface snow. Steep terrain at treeline and below are likely areas to trigger. Reactivity will increase as precipitation intensifies.
No new avalanches were reported.
We suspect that warming temperatures will initiate a wet loose avalanche cycle.
High freezing levels and light rain are softening surface snow.
A 1 to 10 cm thick crust is down roughly 30 to 50 cm deep and can be found on all aspects. The thickness of the crust depends on elevation.
Below this, there are two layers of concern that vary in depth throughout the region. They are generally close together and in the top 120 cm of the snowpack.
In shallow snowpack areas, depth hoar (large facets) can be found near the bottom of the snowpack.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 2 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 4 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 20 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 25 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
