Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Tuesday and Monday, explosives avalanche control in different parts of the region produced several small to large (up to size 2) avalanches in east and southeast facing alpine and treeline terrain. They all failed on a layer of facets buried by the recent storm.

If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting a MIN post.

A surface crust or moist snow may be found at lower elevations and on sun-affected slopes. Otherwise, 30 to 60 cm of accumulated settling storm snow sits over a thin crust on sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar or facets in wind-sheltered areas. The highest storm snow amounts fell in southern parts of the region, and the lowest in the north. A weak layer buried in late January consisting of surface hoar and facets or a crust, is buried 50 to 90 cm and remains a lingering concern. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature low -2 °C. Possible temperature inversion in the alpine.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level rising to 2400 m.

Friday

Sunny. 5 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Possible temperature inversion with below freezing air in valleys. Alpine freezing level 2500 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 25 to 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Possible temperature inversion with below freezing air in valleys. Alpine freezing level 2900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Start with simple terrain and gather information before committing to bigger features.
• The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.