Choose mellow terrain, and avoid lingering under steep slopes.
Multiple buried weak layers have the potential to cause avalanches after this period of rapid change.
Weak layers from dry, clear, and cold conditions in January persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. These layers could become more reactive with the added stress of new snow and warming temperatures.
Recent snow has made storm slabs on the surface at all elevations. These may be particularly reactive in wind-exposed terrain and/or where they sit over weak layers formed during the mid February, cold, dry period.
Monday: Many small and several large (up to size 2.5) natural and human triggered avalanches were reported in the recent storm snow. Two were remote triggered, suggesting that there is a touchy weak layer primed for human triggering.
Sunday: A large (size 1.5 to 3) natural avalanche cycle of was reported in the region on all aspects in alpine and treeline.
Recent snow is 20 to 50 cm deep, burying various surfaces, including old wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, and weak surface hoar or faceted grains in sheltered areas.
Layers from dry conditions in January are found at varying depths within the upper 100 cm of snow. These include weak faceted snow, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, and surface hoar in shaded terrain.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 1 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind in the north end of the forecast area, lighter in the south. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to around 1750 m.
Thursday
Partly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind getting lighter through the day. Freezing level 1750 m.
Friday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom overnight, rising back to 1750 m through the day.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
