Avalanche Forecast

Good

Tonight and Monday: The upper ridge still dominates the pattern leading to clear skies and possible valley cloud. Winds are forecasted to be moderate to strong from the NW. Freezing level are at valley bottom but a weak above freezing layer (AFL) is warming temperatures between 2000 m. and 2800 m. Tuesday: A weak system could result in light precipitation with moderate winds from the NW. Freezing levels at the surface and mainly cloudy skies.Wednesday: Pacific frontal system is forecasted to spread light precipitation over the region with strong Westerlies. 

Several skier triggered avalanches up to size 2 in storm slab on NW and E aspect and in windslab on N and SE aspect in the alpine or top of treeline. No natural avalanches were reported yesterday.

A wind event created touchy windslabs on lee slopes in the alpine and at treeline. These windslabs are quite thick near ridge top and will still be touchy, especially later during the day on S facing slopes where sun will have been shining and with temperatures starting to warm up at higher elevations. Storm snow is settling but beware of the possibility of sluffing in steep shady terrain and on steep S aspects. Even though avalanche problems have started localizing, I would still show some respect to the deeper persistent weak layers that are more stubborn but also more widespread and complex. The surface hoar layer down 90 cm would be more sensitive on N and NE aspects and the facet/crust layer would be more sensitive on S aspects. Basal facets weakness in shallower/rockier areas are also still a concern by avalanche professionals.