Avalanche Forecast

Low

Earlier this week, avalanche observations were mostly limited to small, explosive-triggered wind slabs.

Last weekend, there were several alarming reports of large (size 2-3) persistent slab avalanches. They were remotely triggered by skiers or snowmobiles at treeline elevations. Check out these MIN reports here and here. A huge thank you to the groups who shared their observations to the Mountain Information Network!

A thin surface crust may be found on steep south aspects. 5-10 cm of recent snow rests over a layer of surface hoar at treeline and below. Near ridgetop, the recent snow is likely being reverse-loaded into atypical terrain features as upper level northwest winds pick up on Friday.

A well settled upper snowpack may overlie a layer of surface hoar formed in early December, now buried 30-50 cm deep.

A concerning weak layer consisting of facets and surface hoar formed in November is now buried 80-90 cm deep. At the bottom of the snowpack, a thick crust sits on the ground.

At treeline, snowpack depths vary from 120 to 200 cm.

Thursday night

Partly cloudy. Ridgetop wind light to moderate west. Alpine low -14 C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind moderate northwest. Alpine high -11 C.

Saturday

Around 5 cm new snow. Light southwest wind. Alpine high -9 C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light to moderate southwest wind. Alpine high -20 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where weak layers may be preserved.
• In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.