Dynamic weather conditions combined with uncertainty around buried weak layers warrant a conservative approach to terrain on Tuesday.
Strong southwest winds have likely redistributed 40 to 70 cm of recent storm snow into deep deposits in leeward features. Buried weak layers below the new snow may create larger than expected avalanches.
The potential for loose wet avalanches will increase as the surface snow becomes moist with rain.
No new avalanches have been observed, but reports have been extremely limited.
Wind slabs may remain triggerable at upper elevations, while loose wet avalanches become increasingly likely at elevations where precipitation falls as rain.
If you head to the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Snow surfaces become moist as the rain line rises to 2300 m today.
40 to 70 cm of recent storm snow has likely been redistributed at upper elevations by strong southwesterly winds. The recent snow sits over small facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered areas, and firm wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain.
Two surface hoar layers can be found in the mid snowpack: One down 60 to 80 cm and another down 60 to 110 cm at treeline.
Deeper in the snowpack, a rain crust from early November seems to be bonding well to surrounding snow.
A series of frontal systems from the south bring warm, moist air to the region. This means generally high freezing levels and wet precipitation. Between Tuesday and Thursday, expect freezing levels to fluctuate rapidly and vary from north to south.
Monday night
Cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow above 1500 m, light rain below. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow turning to rain as snow line rises to 2300 m through the day. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm above 1700 m, light rain below. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Thursday
Cloudy. Light precip. Rain/snow line dropping to 1500 m. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level dropping 2000 to 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
