Avalanche Forecast

Storm slabs have been reactive in recent days, sliding on a facet layer below the recent storm snow. A natural cycle was observed Sunday up to size 2, all aspects and elevations. On Monday and Tuesday, numerous rider-triggered (including, ski cuts, accidental and remote triggered) avalanches were reported size 1-2.

On Monday, natural avalanches up to size 3 were suspected to have run on deeper weak layers in the Valhallas.

Ongoing flurries continue to accumulate over 30 to 50 cm of recent snow. This snow sits over facets, surface hoar and wind-hardened snow, depending on elevation.

A few layers of note exist in the mid snowpack, including another crust/facet/surface hoar layer now buried 60-80 cm deep and a layer of surface hoar 130+ cm deep that was buried in early December. This layer is of most concern above 2000 m where a robust crust doesn't exist above it.

Wednesday night

Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing around 5 cm of new snow. South alpine wind 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with flurries brining around 5 cm of new snow. South alpine wind 30-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday

5-10 cm of new snow overnight then a mix of sun and cloud. Southwest alpine wind 30-40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, freezing level 1400 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with flurries brining around 5 cm of new snow. Southwest alpine wind 40-50 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
• Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.