Avalanche Forecast

Numerous natural and rider triggered storm slab and persistent slab avalanches size 1 to 3 have been reported the past few days in the alpine and treeline elevation bands on all aspects. Most of these occurred on the weak layer of faceted grains 60-100 cm deep sitting on a crust formed in early February. Several were reported as remotely triggered (from a distance).

Expect rider triggered avalanches to be likely as more snow and wind arrives Thursday night.

70 to 110 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of layers that it may not bond well to, including surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed south and west-facing slopes. The wind has likely formed thicker deposits in lee terrain features near ridges.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried 50 to 100 cm deep and is found up to around 2400 m. This crust may have a layer of facets above it, which makes it a troublesome avalanche layer.

The remainder of the snowpack is settled.

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks and 1 to 3 cm of snow. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud, 15 to 25 km/h southeast, Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
• Shooting cracks, whumphs and recent avalanches are strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.
• Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.