Avalanche Forecast

Good

The region will continue to see unsettled weather conditions overnight Monday, bringing light snow, and moderate NW winds. Freezing levels will fall to valley bottom. Tuesday: Mainly dry conditions. A mix of sun and cloud in the morning. Increased cloud and light flurries during the afternoon. Freezing levels remain valley bottom. Wednesday/Thursday: Continued cloud, and light snow amounts. Ridgetop winds moderate from the NW. Treeline temperatures -12, rising to -4. Freezing levels fluctuating from valley bottom to 12-1500m Wed/Thurs afternoon.

A natural avalanche cycle is under way, however poor weather is limiting observations. Natural, skier-remote and accidental avalanches were observed on Sunday to size 2. Avalanches reported throughout the week illustrate the unpredictable nature of persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack. Most failed on upper snowpack persistent weaknesses. These layers are touchy and are likely to fail under the new storm load, creating large or widely-propagating avalanches.

Over the weekend, 60-100 cm snow has fallen. Strong winds and fluctuating temperatures are creating storm slabs and wind slabs on a widespread basis. Persistent weak layers (surface hoar, facets, crusts) buried in February are the main concern at all elevations and could be easily triggered by storm slabs, wind slabs or sluffs, or with a light additional load (like a sled or skier). Avalanches may be unexpectedly large, given the amount of fresh snow. Large cornices are forming, and may act as potential triggers for deep avalanches.