Avalanche Forecast

High -

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear / Light north winds / Low of -22 / Freezing level surface.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny / Moderate northwest wind / High of -9 / Freezing level surface.

THURSDAY: Increasing cloudiness with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / Moderate northwest wind / High of -6 / Freezing level surface.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-10 cm / Strong west wind / High of -1 / Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

A skier triggered size 1.5 wind slab was reported on a east aspect below a treeline ridgetop on Monday. The wind slab was sitting on a layer of recently buried surface hoar which resulted in wide propagation of the slab.

Riders may get surprised by widely propagating wind slabs that are sitting on crusts and/or surface hoar.

10-15 cm of recent snow and west/northwest winds have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. These slabs may remain more reactive on south facing slopes where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust. Below the recent snow, there may be a layer of small surface hoar that is likely most pronounced on northerly aspects or sheltered locations.

Lower elevations have seen warm temperatures last week and have a melt freeze crust on the surface. 

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas, with multiple crusts throughout. No recent persistent slab avalanches have been reported on these layers.

• 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.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Minimize your exposure time below cornices.