Avalanche Forecast

Widespread natural avalanche activity was observed Monday night and on Tuesday during the warm stormy conditions. Storm slabs are releasing at high elevations and loose wet at lower elevations. We may see similar activity continue on Wednesday, as more snow and rain load the buried weak layer described in the Snowpack Summary.

Around 10 to 20 cm of heavy snow accumulated at high elevations, with rain soaking the snowpack below. The snow and rain are loading a buried weak layer of feathery surface hoar and/or sugary faceted grains. These layers may be associated with a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes.

The middle and base of the snowpack is largely weak and faceted. A hard crust may be found near the ground.

Treeline snowpack depths are variable and generally range between 30 and 80 cm. Snowpack tapers rapidly as you move lower in elevation.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 10 to 25 cm of snow above 1800 m and rain below. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow above 1700 m and rain below. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. Southwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with trace snow. Southwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
• If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.