Avalanche Forecast

Observations have been limited, but we suspect a widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred over the past few days as rain impacted the snowpack.

If poor riding quality doesn't deter you on Tuesday, keep in mind that human-triggered avalanches remain likely. Avoid overhead exposure, large natural avalanches have the potential to entrain significant mass and run to valley bottom.

Rain has created a moist or wet upper snowpack at all elevations. A weak surface crust may have formed overnight at upper elevations.

There is a layer of sugary facets that are buried 30-50 cm deep and in some places sits on a crust from December. This layer has been reactive in snowpack tests.

The lower snowpack contains a series of crusts and faceted snow. Expect snow depth at treeline to be 70 to 120 cm.

Monday Night

Cloudy with clear periods, no new precipitation. Alpine wind southwest 20 to 70 km/h. Treeline temperature 2 °C, freezing level 2800 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud, no new precipitation. Alpine wind sotuhwest 20 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature 1 °C, freezing level 2500 m.

Wednesday

Sunny with cloudy periods, no new precipitation. Alpine wind wind from the southwest. Treeline temperature 2 °C, freezing level 3000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods, no new precipitation. Alpine wind light from the southwest. Treeline temperature 1 °C, freezing level 2500 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
• Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
• If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.