Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Sunday night: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, light southwest winds gusting moderate, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level around 1300 m.

Monday: Cloudy with periods of sun, isolated flurries, light southwest winds, alpine high temperature -3 C, freezing level around 1500 m.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries, light southwest winds, alpine high temperature -2 C, freezing level around 1500 m.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate southwest winds, alpine high temperature -3 C, freezing level 1400 m.

A recent natural, large (size 2.5) wind slab avalanche was reported on Saturday. 

On January 16th, a natural, size 2 wind slab stepped down to the deep persistent basal facets below a rock band, details here.

Recent strong west winds have formed stiff wind slabs in exposed areas on leeward aspects at and above treeline. A crust can be found up to treeline and on solar aspects in the alpine due to recent daytime warming and sun exposure.

A well consolidated mid-pack overlies a generally weak basal snowpack. The bottom 10-20 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and deteriorating crusts. Although inherently weak, the benign weather pattern this week will likely promote a decreasing trend in reactivity for this avalanche problem. Areas that are most likely to harbor this problem are shallow, rocky start zones. 

• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.