Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Tuesday night: Clear with cloudy periods, moderate southwest wind, alpine low -15 °C.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and clouds, trace of new snow, strong southwest wind, alpine high -8 °C.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy, 5 cm snow, strong to extreme south wind, alpine high -6 °C.

Friday: Mainly cloudy, up to 5 cm snow, strong southwest wind, alpine high -4 °C.

Three small (size 1.5) wind slabs were observed on Monday. 

Skiers were surprised by wind slab avalanches on north and northeast aspects in the White Pass area on Friday. The slabs were about 20 cm thick and the avalanches reached up to size 2. Slabs were still reactive to skier traffic on Saturday.

20-40 cm of recent snow are sitting on old, firm surfaces and a crust on solar aspects. The snow surface is heavily wind affected, and soft powder can be found only in the most wind sheltered places. On steep, sun-exposed aspects, there is potential for the existence of a sun crust. The bond between the recent snow and old firm surfaces was reactive to skier traffic in the last few days. 

The lower snowpack is well bridged by the layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time. 

• Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.