Avalanche Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Snow; 3-5 cm, moderate west winds, alpine low -3 C, freezing level 800 m.

FRIDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm, moderate west winds, alpine high 1 C, freezing level 1600 m.

SATURDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm, strong southwest winds, alpine high 2 C, freezing level 1700 m.

SUNDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm, moderate southwest winds, alpine high 2 C, freezing level 1700 m.

There are currently very few professional operations reporting in this region and the data stream is very limited.

Slab avalanches releasing on buried surface hoar layers have been reported in the last week. Several were attributed to peak warming on solar aspects. These avalanches occurred between 1700 m and 2300 m and were failing 40-100 cm deep. See this MIN report for a helpful illustration.

NOTE:We are receiving very limited professional snowpack observations in this region. The snowpack summary below is based on our most recent observations and weather data.

The recent snow sits on a variety of snow surfaces, consisting of sun crusts, hard wind-affected snow, and soft faceted snow. There have also been reports of surface hoar forming on sheltered, shady slopes. See this MIN for a helpful illustration from nearby Glacier National Park. It will be important to track the depth, cohesiveness, and bond of the new snow to these various old snow surfaces across aspects and elevations where you're travelling.

Cornices are large and looming. Two layers of buried surface hoar can be found buried 20-40 cm deep (March 10) and 60-120 cm deep (February 22). Though there is a low likelihood of triggering an avalanche on these layers, the consequences of doing so would be high. 

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.