Avalanche Forecast

No new avalanches were reported at the time of publishing on Saturday.

On Wednesday and Thursday, several large (up to size 2.5) natural and rider-triggered wind slab avalanches were reported. These occurred on all aspects, but mostly on north through east in the alpine.

Recently, avalanches have surprised people with wider-than-expected propagation and remote triggering from afar. See the example photo.

Depending on temperature and time of day, a sun crust or moist snow will likely exist on steep south facing aspects. The alpine is generally wind-affected. In sheltered terrain, 15 to 25 cm of snow overlies a variety of layers including a weak layer of small surface hoar and/or another thin sun crust on solar aspects.

The widespread crust buried in early February is down 30 to 50 cm and has recently been touchy to human and machine triggers. In most places, this crust is widespread up to 2400 m.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear skies. 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Possible temperature inversion.

Sunday

Partly cloudy. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday

Partly cloudy. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 15 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
• Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.