Avalanche Forecast

Low confidence in snowfall amounts on Thursday as there may be some enhancement due to the timing of the strong NW flow and the approaching warm front.

Wednesday Night: Trace of new snow and strong westerly winds at ridgetop. Alpine temperatures near -6 and freeing levels 600 m.

Thursday: Snow heavy at times 15 to 20 cm in the alpine with mixed precipitation/ rain at lower elevations. Ridgetop winds will be strong from the southwest and alpine temperatures near -1. Freezing levels rising to 1400 m

Friday: Mixed precipitation up to 30 mm throughout the day. Alpine temperatures near -2 and freezing levels drop to 1000 m. 

Saturday: Light snowfall amounts and freezing levels drop to 800 m. Alpine temperatures near -5 with a moderate southwest wind. 

By Wednesday morning natural size 1 and explosive triggered size 2 storm slabs were reported. Continued snow/ rain and warming will continue to drive the elevated avalanche danger on Thursday and storm slabs will be likely. 

20 to 40 cm of storm snow blanketed the region by Wednesday. Fresh and reactive storm slabs exist. This now brings 40 to 70 cm of recent snow above a variety of surfaces that formed during the end of January. This interface is made up of a crust, facets, and surface hoar. The crust can be found at or below treeline as well as on south-facing terrain in the alpine. In isolated sheltered terrain at treeline surface hoar has formed along with facets above this crust. Where a crust did not form facets will likely be found.

The January 19th surface hoar layer can still be found down 40 to 60 at treeline and above in sheltered terrain. Recent reports indicate that it is becoming less of a concern. 

• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
• Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
• Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.