Watch for slopes where thick deposits of new snow have accumulated, especially in wind-affected terrain.
Recent snow and wind has left storm slabs sensitive to human triggering. Expect the depth and reactivity of slabs to greatly increase with elevation and exposure to wind.
TUESDAY NIGHT: 5-25 cm of snow overnight, moderate wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures drop to -5 C.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries and 5-10 cm of new snow, light wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -3 C.
THURSDAY: Heavy snow with 30-50 cm of snow above 1800 m and heavy rain below, strong wind from the south, alpine high temperatures around -1 C.
FRIDAY: Scattered flurries with 5-15 cm of snow, moderate wind from the southwest, freezing level drops to 1200 m with alpine high temperatures around -3 C.
Recent storms have resulted in numerous small (size 1) slab avalanches triggered by riders on Sunday and Monday, while larger (size 2) wind slab avalanches have been triggered naturally and with explosives. Looking forward, continuing snowfall is expected to maintain similar conditions on Wednesday, with new snow and associated avalanche hazards increasing with elevation.
Recent weather has created a mix of surface conditions. 5-25 cm of new snow will accumulate by Wednesday morning, but will likely be heavily wind affected. Extreme wind has scoured windward slopes in the alpine and formed thick wind slab deposits in lee terrain. A rain crust now exists up to treeline elevations, and moist snow exists below 1500 m. Overall storm slab hazards likely exist in areas where new snow has accumulated.
Recent observation suggest it is now difficult to trigger surface hoar layers that formed in December (now buried 100 to 150 cm below the surface). However, weak faceted grains and crusts near the base of the snowpack continue to be a concern in inland parts of the region, such as the Spearhead Range. This layer will continue to be a problem when the snowpack is stressed by new snow or warming, and is best managed by avoiding shallow rocky start zones in the alpine and upper treeline.
