Dangerous avalanche conditions continue. Avoid large slopes, overhead hazards and steep terrain.
Two surface hoar layers can be found in the top meter of the snowpack in sheltered terrain. They have been unreactive recently, but rapid change due to new snow and warm temperatures may wake them up.
Storm slabs sit on a weak interface and will likely be reactive with new snow, strong southerly wind and rising freezing levels.
Wet loose avalanches are likely where precipitation falls as rain.
Natural and human triggered slab avalanches are very likely on Thursday.
No new observations on Tuesday. Continued evidence of natural avalanche cycle from last weekend up to size 3.
10 to 20 cm of new snow and strong southerly wind is expected by Thursday morning.
The upper metre of the snowpack is complicated. This snow sits above several significant weak layers that formed during the January and February dry spells. These include facets, surface hoar (in sheltered terrain), and crust on solar aspects.
A layer of facets on top of a crust from early December is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. This layer is generally not a concern in this region.
Wednesday Night
New snow 10 to 20 cm. 25 gusting to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with snow 2 to 5 cm. 10 to 45 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Friday
Snow 5 to 15 cm. 10 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 10 km southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
