Avalanche Forecast

No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday.

Through the prolonged warming event, wet avalanche activity was observed up to size 2.5. Steep rocky terrain and direct solar slopes were the most impacted. Evidence of this natural avalanche cycle will still be visible to backcountry users who head into the mountains on Thursday.

If you are heading into the backcountry please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

A dusting of new snow covers refrozen surfaces at treeline and above. Below the crust, 30 to 50 cm of moist snow overlies a variety of layers including a thin sun crust on south aspects.

With prolonged warm temperatures two weak layers of surface hoar, facets overlying a crust are slowly gaining strength. While professionals continue to track these layers they have not produced recent avalanche activity. They are unlikely to be reactive with cooling temperatures.

The lower snowpack is well-settled.

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2°C. Freezing levels fall to 1300 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing levels 1500m.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 25 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels rise 1700m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2°C. Freezing level 1300m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
• A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.