Precipitation is expected to end Wednesday night, but it’s still unclear how much will fall as rain versus snow. If you're heading out, please share your post-storm observations on the MIN.
The freezing level is forecasted to drop slightly as precipitation and strong southwest winds continue. This may form fresh and reactive wind slabs in the highest alpine terrain. If you find 15 cm of new snow, watch for reactive wind slabs.
Deep ski or boot penetration into wet snow means the snowpack is saturated, and wet avalanches are possible on steep slopes. It’s still unclear how much will fall as rain versus snow at upper elevations.
No recent avalanches have been reported, but observations are very limited in this region.
If you're heading out into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the MIN.
Up to 20 cm of heavy new snow can be found at upper elevations, which was redistributed by strong southerly winds into greater accumulations on lee slopes. This builds upon previous storm slabs, which currently overlie older layers and a thick melt-freeze crust down 50 to 60 cm.
At treeline, a crust is supportive to skis with likely still moist/wet snow underneath. The new snow seems to be bonding well to the surface crust. At lower elevations, the crust is variably breakable.
Total snowpack depths range from around 80 to 150 cm deep at treeline, and diminish rapidly at lower elevations.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 20 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level falling to 1700 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Friday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m rising to 2000 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
