South Rockies

Up to 40 cm of recent snow and southwest winds formed slabs reactive to human triggers.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

On Sunday, a naturally triggered size 3 avalanche was reported on a northeast facing, large, steep, and convex slope in the alpine. The avalanche was observed from a distance and the type is unknown.

Additionally, several explosive triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on a variety of aspects in the alpine.

Up to 40 cm of recent snow and southwest winds formed slabs reactive to human triggers.

In most areas, the storm snow rests on a melt-freeze crust, except for high elevation north and east facing slopes.

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January is currently buried 50 to 100 cm deep. It has been the cause of recent large avalanches, and remains reactive in snowpack tests. The greatest concern for this weak layer is on upper-elevation northerly and easterly slopes.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0-3 cm snow, 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop winds, treeline temperature -8 °C, freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud, 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop winds, treeline temperature -7 °C, freezing level 1400 m.

Wednesday

Sunny, 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds, treeline temperature -4°C, freezing level 1600 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 3-5 cm snow, 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop winds, treeline temperature -4 °C, freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
• Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
• Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.