Deep, reactive storm slabs continue to build over a slippery crust. At lower elevations, loose wet avalanches will be come increasingly likely as rain soaks the snowpack.
Upside-down storm slabs sit over a slippery crust. Natural avalanche activity is expected to continue with precipitation into Tuesday.
As rain soaks the snowpack at lower elevations, loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely.
Monday night: Mixed precipitation, 5-10 mm, strong southwest wind, treeline temperature +3 C, freezing level 1500-1900 m.
Tuesday: Mixed precipitation, 5-15 mm, strong southwest wind, treeline high temperature +1 C, freezing level 1400 m.
Wednesday: Snow mixed with rain, 10-20 mm, moderate southwest wind, treeline high temperature 0 C, freezing level 1300 m.
Thursday: Clearing, light northwest wind, treeline high temperature 0 C, freezing level 1300 m.
On Monday, our field team observed widespread natural avalanche activity size 1-2.5. A skier triggered size 2 storm slab was reported at Mt Cain on Sunday in this MIN.
Within the 40-60 cm of new snow, a wet layer on the surface is stacked on top of lower density, dry snow. This configuration is referred to as upside-down and is often associated with short term instability while the soft bottom settles. Above ~1900 m, the surface remains dry and has seen extensive wind effect, with extremely variable depths and areas of hard wind slab.
The storm snow sits over a thin layer of weak crystals on a thick, widespread rain crust which makes a great sliding surface for avalanches.
The mid and lower snowpack is considered well settled and strong. Shallow snow cover at low elevations leaves many hazards like stumps and creeks exposed at or just below the snow surface.
