Avalanche Forecast

High -

Saturday night: Mix of clouds and clear periods, up to 3 cm snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine low -6 °C, freezing level at 1100 m.

Sunday: Cloudy, up to 4 cm snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine high -4 °C, freezing level at 1500 m.

Monday: Mainly cloudy, 15-20 cm snow, strong southwest wind, alpine high -4 °C, freezing level at 1500 m. 

Tuesday: Mainly cloudy, 5-10 cm snow, moderate to strong westerly wind, alpine high -6 °C, freezing level 1400 m.

On Friday, two large (size 2) natural wind slabs were observed as well as a failed cornice that triggered a slab on the slope below and resulted in a size 2.5 avalanche. Explosives triggered small wind slabs in the alpine and a size 2.5 storm slab.

On Thursday, several wind slabs and dry loose avalanches were reported up to size 2. They likely released on Wednesday. 

On Wednesday, no significant avalanche activity was reported. Sloughing from steep terrain was seen and older wind slabs up to size 2. 

Above 2000 m, 15-25 cm of new snow overlies up to 30 cm of denser snow that tapers rapidly with elevation. About 50-60 cm snow sit over the mid-March interface at upper elevations.

A melt-freeze crust exists on the surface up to 2000 m and higher on solar aspects. Below the crust, the top 10-30 cm of the snowpack are moist.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.