Ongoing snowfall and strong wind will continue building reactive wind slab at elevations above 1500m.
Up to 40 cm of new snow accompanied by strong southwest wind is expected to form fresh and reactive wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline.
With a limited early-season snowpack, there are not many reports from the backcountry. There have been no recent reports of avalanches.
Following this weekends storm, there is the potential for reactive wind slabs to exist in the alpine and treeline where precipitation falls as snow.
If you head into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the MIN.
Up to 40 cm of new snow at upper elevations will be redistributed by strong southwest wind on Saturday night. Snow depth varies rapidly with elevation. There is no snow below 1000 m, about 30 to 70 cm at treeline, and up to 120 cm in the high alpine.
Overall, the snowpack is strong without any layers of concern.
Saturday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 25 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 25 to 45 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
