Sasquatch

Watch for reactive windslabs as you gain elevation.

Potential remains for large avalanches on buried weak layers, particularly where the snowpack is shallow and thin.

Reports have been very limited in this region. On Tuesday, a size 3.5 persistent slab was observed on a north alpine face that likely failed last weekend. Several loose wet avalanches on sunny slopes have also been observed.

Please consider sharing your observations on the MIN.

Up to 25 cm of settling snow sits over wet or crusty surfaces. On all but high north-facing alpine slopes, the upper snowpack is wet. Below 1800 m, it has melted substantially.

A persistent weak layer of facets and surface hoar from February is now 90 to 150 cm deep, and a layer of facets and surface hoar from late January is buried 110 to 190 cm. These layers remain a concern, especially in the south and eastern parts of the region where the overall snowpack is shallower. Otherwise, the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

Sunday Night

Increasing cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level falling to 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy, with 5 to 10 cm of snow above 1400 m, rain below. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy, with 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy, with 5 cm of snow. 10 to 2 km/h variable ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
• In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and slopes above cliffs.
• Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.