Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries / moderate to strong northwest wind / alpine low temperature near -10 

THURSDAY - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries / moderate to strong northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -7

FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy / strong northwest wind, easing to moderate west wind / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1400 m 

SATURDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries / moderate to strong west wind / alpine high temperature near -7

Human triggered avalanches are still expected to be easy to trigger in many areas.

There have been reports of numerous size 1-2 natural, human and explosives triggered avalanches every day since Saturday. Many of these avalanches have failed on the recently buried persistent weak layer.

50-100 cm of recent fresh snow sits on a persistent weak layer that consists of facets at upper elevations, surface hoar in sheltered areas, a melt-freeze crust below 1900 m, and a sun crust on south-facing slopes. There could be more than 100 cm on this layer in wind loaded areas.

A crust from early December may be found around 200+ cm deep in the snowpack. In shallow rocky areas, it may still be possible to trigger this layer. In deeper snowpack areas, it appears to be unreactive.

• Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.
• Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.