Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly starry sky, light and variable wind, treeline temperatures dropping to -15 C.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny, light wind, freezing level rising to 1400 m, treeline temperatures warm to -2 C.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny, light wind, freezing level rising to 1500 m, treeline temperatures warm to -1 C.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud and incoming flurries, increasing southeast wind, freezing level rising above 1600 m, treeline temperatures above freezing.

Reports over the last week documented large cornice falls in alpine terrain, some of which have triggered large wind slab avalanches (size 2-2.5) on the slopes below. We suspect the reactivity of these wind slabs is diminishing under the current weather pattern, but cornices remain a concern.

Recent wind from the northeast formed slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above, and a variety of wind-affected surfaces. 20-50 cm recent snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects. Another prominent crust layer is found 40 to 70 cm deep. 

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.