Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength. Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Tuesday: New snow 5-15 cm at upper elevations. Moderate West wind at ridgetop and freezing level's 1500 m during the day and dropping to valley bottom overnight.

Wednesday: Chance of flurries and sunshine. Ridgetop winds moderate from the southwest and freezing levels rise to 1500 m.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with some sunny periods. Trace snow amounts. Strong southwest wind and freezing levels rising to 2000 m. 

No recent reports on Monday. Rider-triggered storm and wind slabs are likely on Tuesday. 

On Sunday, a small natural wind slab avalanche was observed on a north aspect in the alpine. A rider triggered a small slab avalanche on the same slope. Both avalanches likely occurred on Saturday.

On Saturday, many natural dry loose avalanches were reported in steep terrain, as well as a large cornice failure that released a slab on the slope below. 

10 to 25 cm of new storm snow blankets upper elevations with the greater snowfall amounts being in the Renshaw. Strong west to southwest wind will be redistributing the new storm snow in exposed high elevation terrain forming touchy wind slabs and developing large cornices. The upper 60 cm of the snowpack consists of multiple crusts. The surface snow consists of a thin crust up to 1800 m that is supportive below 1400 m. 

30-60 cm of snow sits on the thick melt-freeze crust from late March. This crust can be found up to 1900 m on all aspects. 

• Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
• Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
• Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.