Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Tuesday, a few natural wind slabs on north facing slopes and persistent slabs on south facing slopes up to size 1.5 were reported. Numerous explosive controlled persistent slab avalanches up to size 3 were triggered on northerly aspects at treeline and above.

We expect wind and persistent slabs to be rider triggerable. Avoid solar slopes when the sun is out.

A melt-freeze crust may exist on the surface up to 1400 m and higher on steep south facing slopes.

At treeline and above, the recent storm snow is being redistributed by ongoing southerly winds, leaving widespread wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain and wind slabs on leeward terrain.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 50 to 110 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it in many areas.

The eastern portion of this region is much shallower with a highly variable and wind-affected snowpack.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries 5-10 cm. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5°C. Freezing levels 1200 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries 5-10 cm. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures near -1°C. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures near above zero degrees. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures above zero degrees. Freezing level rising to 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.