Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Skiers have triggered small (size 1) slab avalanches in the top 20 to 30 cm of snow since Wednesday, as nicely illustrated in this MIN report. Larger storm and wind slab avalanches (size 2 to 2.5) were observed along ridges immediately after the storm on Wednesday.

Surface conditions are variable and include sun crusts, surface hoar, and wind-affected snow. Sheltered areas have 20 to 30 cm of soft snow from earlier this week.

In terrain sheltered from the wind, small surface hoar crystals may be found 50 to 90 cm from the surface. At a similar depth, you may also find a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and below 1900 m.

The lower snowpack contains weak and faceted grains. Deeper weak layers in the snowpack have not recently produced avalanches, but they may become reactive again if there is a rapid change in the weather.

Saturday night

Clear skies, no precipitation, 20 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperatures cool to -8 ºC.

Sunday

Sunny periods in the morning then increasing cloud in the afternoon, 30 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures warm to -2 °C.

Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of snow, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -4 °C.

Mostly sunny, no precipitation, 30 km/h north wind, treeline temperatures around -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.