Avalanche Forecast

Moderate -

Cold, dry, arctic air continues to dominate the weather pattern for the foreseeable future.FRIDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, around -25 C in the alpine, potentially strong valley bottom wind event, moderate to strong east/southeast wind in the alpine, no significant snowfall expected. SATURDAY: Clear skies, freezing level at valley bottom, around -25 C in the alpine, light winds at most elevations, light to moderate east/northeast wind at ridgetop, no significant snowfall expected.SUNDAY: Clear skies, freezing level at valley bottom, around -20 C in the alpine, potentially strong valley bottom wind event, light southeast wind in the alpine, no significant snowfall expectedMONDAY: Clear skies, freezing level at valley bottom, around -20 C in the alpine, light variable wind at all elevations, no significant snowfall expected.

A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January continues to be reactive to human triggers. This layer is sensitive enough for avalanches to be triggered remotely (from a distance). Human triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. This layer has been the most reactive at treeline and below, although there have been a few reports of its presence in isolated sheltered areas in the alpine. Click here to see a Mountain Information Network post that described conditions in Allen Creek on Wednesday.Several wind slab avalanches to size 1.5 were reported running on a variety of aspects in the alpine on Wednesday.

30-60 cm of recent new snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-80 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.