Choose conservative, low consequence terrain.
Storm slabs will remain reactive due to the underlying layer of surface hoar and a crust.
New storm slabs are expected to be reactive due to the large surface hoar they’ll form over.
Dry loose avalanches are likely where new snow doesn't form a slab.
Numerous small wind and storm slabs were triggered by skiers and sledders in the region on Wednesday and Thursday. These avalanches were triggered on a variety of aspects in the alpine and treeline, they failed on the late January surface hoar layer mentioned in the snowpack summary.
Natural and skier triggered dry loose avalanches continue to be triggered in steep terrain.
By Saturday morning 30 to 50 cm of snow could overlie the late January surface hoar/crust layer. This new snow has been accompanied by moderate to strong south and west wind, meaning that the crust will likely remain on the surface on southerly aspects and deeper deposits will be found on north and east aspects
The late January surface hoar is largest on sheltered treeline and below treeline features and may not exist on exposed terrain in the alpine.
The snow surface will likely become moist at low elevations and on south aspects as the freezing level rises and the sun comes out.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.
Friday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2°C. Freezing level around 1500 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2°C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
