Sticking to simple or non-avalanche terrain is recommended while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Avoid overhead hazard, especially during periods of sun.
Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper meter of the snowpack. Storm slabs or wet loose sluffs in motion may trigger these deeper layers creating larger than expected avalanches.
Up to 60 cm of recent snow has formed widespread storm slabs that need a few days to bond. The new snow will be especially reactive on wind-loaded slopes and on sunny slopes during periods of solar radiation.
Wet loose avalanches will be likely on sun-exposed slopes. Avoid overhead hazard from steep sunny faces during the warmest parts of the day.
A widespread region-wide avalanche cycle of natural, human and explosive-triggered avalanches occurred during the stormy weather over the last few days. Slabs were observed at all aspects and elevation zones, and reached up to size 3 (very large). While most were storm slabs, a significant number also failed on persistent weak layers.
40 to 60 cm of recent snow has formed widespread storm slabs that are slowly settling and stabilizing. Southwesterly winds may have built especially reactive slabs on lee north through east facing slopes near ridgetops.There is potential for the new snow to overload deeper persistent layers in the upper to mid snowpack, causing storm slabs to step down. These layers include:
Facets/surface hoar/crust from early March buried 40-70 cm.
Facets/surface hoar/crust from mid-February buried 60-100 cm
Facets/surface hoar/crust from late January buried 100-160 cm.
The rest of the snowpack is well settled with no other layers of concern.
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 1 to 8 cm of snow. 25 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
