Avalanche Forecast
Use caution near ridge tops and rollovers.
Hard wind slabs may not be bonded to the solid crust underneath.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported at the time of publishing on Sunday.
On Saturday, there were numerous small wet loose avalanches from slopes exposed to the sun and a couple of small rider-controlled wind slabs.
A few small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches were triggered in the alpine on Thursday and Friday. Occasionally they have triggered from up to 20 m away. This is likely because of the sugary facets over the crust with a wind slab on top.
Snowpack Summary
In treeline terrain that is sheltered from the wind, 15 to 25 cm of settled snow sits above the crust.
South through west aspects are likely stripped down to a thick crust that formed early in February. In general, the crust is strong and supportive to travel below 1900 m. Above 1900 m the crust becomes breakable and tapers out around 2400 m.
On north through east aspects you will likely find old wind slabs on sugary facets over this crust.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly clear skies. 0 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Clear skies. 0 to 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Wedensday
Partly cloudy. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
This problem lingers where a hard slab overlies a layer of weak, sugary faceted crystals on top of a thick crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5