Start with mellow terrain, and test how the recent snow is bonding before committing to steeper or larger features.Forecast warm temperatures and sun may weaken the snowpack.
30 to 60 cm of recent storm snow may remain poorly bonded to underlying layers. Expect to find deeper, more reactive deposits of snow on leeward terrain features.
Wet loose avalanches will become more likely as daytime warming and sun melt the upper snowpack.
On Tuesday and Monday, explosives avalanche control in different parts of the region produced several small to large (up to size 2) avalanches in east and southeast facing alpine and treeline terrain. They all failed on a layer of facets buried by the recent storm.
If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting a MIN post.
A surface crust or moist snow may be found at lower elevations and on sun-affected slopes. Otherwise, 30 to 60 cm of accumulated settling storm snow sits over a thin crust on sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar or facets in wind-sheltered areas. The highest storm snow amounts fell in southern parts of the region, and the lowest in the north. A weak layer buried in late January consisting of surface hoar and facets or a crust, is buried 50 to 90 cm and remains a lingering concern. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature low -2 °C. Possible temperature inversion in the alpine.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level rising to 2400 m.
Friday
Sunny. 5 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Possible temperature inversion with below freezing air in valleys. Alpine freezing level 2500 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 25 to 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Possible temperature inversion with below freezing air in valleys. Alpine freezing level 2900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
