Avalanche Forecast

Wind transport continues to build slabs in steep, lee terrain features.

On Saturday, a size 2 avalanche was triggered remotely on a southeast-facing slope on a steep, wind-loaded feature just above treeline. This may have failed on the buried surface hoar detailed in the Snowpack Summary. Several other size 1 and 2 wind slab avalanches were also reported on both north- and south-facing slopes in exposed areas.

Thanks for all your MIN posts this weekend!

10 to 20 cm of soft snow overlies hard surfaces. This soft snow may be redistributed into wind slabs in exposed areas by west winds.

A layer of buried surface hoar that formed on Christmas Eve may exist and be buried about 50 cm deep.

The lower snowpack is generally strong. A thick, well-bonded melt-freeze crust is approximately 30 to 50 cm above the ground at elevations below 1200 m.

Snowpack depths range from 80 to 200 cm across the region and vary locally from wind distribution.

Sunday Night

Increasing cloud with trace snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.

Monday

Partly cloudy with trace snow, northwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, north alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, north alpine winds 40 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.