Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, moderate northwest wind, alpine temperatures drop to -15 C.TUESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries and trace accumulations, moderate northwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, light to moderate northeast wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy, light north wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.

Numerous skier triggered avalanches have been reported every day since Tuesday. Although most avalanches have been small (size 1-1.5), they have shown impressive propagation. Check some of the recent MIN reports for examples (here and here). On Sunday, freshly wind loaded features were very reactive to skier triggering, with a size 1.5 avalanches reported on convex features a variety of aspects. A few size 1.5 persistent slab avalanche were remotely triggered, primarily on south and east aspects at treeline. There were also several reports of whumpfing, indicating touchy persistent weak layers in the snowpack.

Surface snow consists of a mix of low density snow and wind affected surfaces. 20 to 40 cm of snow from the past week is gradually settling, and in some areas has shown signs of becoming reactive above above a surface hoar and crust layer that was buried on February 7th. This layer is suspect at all elevations, particularly on wind loaded slopes and on steep south-facing terrain.Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. These layers are most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects. The lower snowpack is well settled.