Avalanche Forecast
Fresh wind slabs will develop with the new snow and wind.
It is still possible for small avalanches to step down to weak layers deep in the snowpack and produce large destructive avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, there were reports of riders remotely triggering persistent slab avalanches up to size 1.5
Snowpack Summary
20-40 cm of recent snow has accumulated over previously wind-affected surfaces and crusts on steep south-facing terrain.
Three layers of concern currently exist in the upper-mid snowpack. Surface hoar that formed in mid-March can be found 65 to 85 cm below the snow surface. Below this, another layer of surface hoar that formed in early March can be found at a depth of 90 to 125 cm. Additionally, a layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 80 to 180 cm deep.
The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated, and there are no current concerns.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 5cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C as freezing levels rise to 1000 m.
Monday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing levels rise to 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Surface hoar and facets buried in the upper snowpack have produced recent avalanche activity. Large loads or step-down avalanches may initiate avalanches on the February layer buried deeper in the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5
Storm Slabs
Expect deeper and more reactive deposits on north-facing slopes. Storm slabs may step down to wind-affected snow below, or buried weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5