Dangerous conditions persist. Manage the uncertainty around buried weak layers by sticking to low-angle terrain, avoiding overhead hazard, and communicating with groups around you.
Buried weak layers are most concerning at treeline elevations. Small avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in very large, destructive avalanches.
New snowfall amounts will vary within the region , expect storm slab destructive potential to increase in areas with snowfall amounts that are greater than 20cm.
On Thursday a skier trigger avalanche was reported on a north east treeline terrain feature, this avalanche failed on the persistent slab and was nearly 1 meter in depth.
Wednesday a naturally triggered size 1.5 persistent slab avalanche was observed in the alpine on a west aspect. Another persistent slab, size 1.5, was skier-triggered in the Hurley area on Tuesday. It was 80 cm deep and occurred on a northeast-facing roll at treeline.
Storm snowfall is forecast for amounts of up to 20 cm and will overlie a variety of surfaces including surface hoar. Expect strong southwest winds to strip snow from ridgelines and exposed features and deposit new snow into deep pockets in lee aspect terrain. Below this, 50-100 cm of old storm snow continues to settle over a facet/surface hoar/crust layer.
In the mid snowpack, an older problematic combination layer of faceted snow over a thick crust is estimated at 80-140 cm deep. This layer is the primary avalanche concern in the region, continuing to show sensitivity to human triggers and produce concerning snowpack test results. The lower snowpack is well settled and strong.
Friday night
Cloudy with heavy snowfall, 10-25 cm. 60-90 km/h southwest alpine winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C with freezing level to 1200 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with heavy snowfall 10-25 cm. 50-70 km/h southwest alpine winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C with freezing levels rising to 1600 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 1-5 cm of new snow,. 30-50 km/h south alpine winds, easing. Treeline temperature -3 with freezing level falling from 1600 to 1400 m.
Monday
Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 1-5 cm of new snow,. 30-50 km/h south alpine winds, easing. Treeline temperature -3 with freezing level falling from 1600 to 800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
