Avalanche Forecast

Another 25cm of snow is expected by Thursday afternoon. With freezing levels dropping, this snow should get progressively drier. Winds remain in the strong to extreme range from the West. Friday looks like a dry and much colder day with light winds.

Observations were extremely limited today due to severe weather, but it is expected a natural avalanche cycle is on-going.

No field observations today as the highway was not drivable (sheer ice in many places). Weather stations at 2200m indicate 30mm of rain from Wednesday morning to afternoon, with only 10cm of snow. The freezing level was likely higher than this, so forecasters expect heavy wet snow extending up into the Alpine. With the continued snowfall, dropping temps and strong winds through Wednesday night and Thursday, it is expected that Alpine areas will have a fresh round of sensitive wind slabs. Conditions through the treeline elevation band will be highly variable and probably involve some sort of newly formed buried crust once temperatures finally drop. Expect rain runnels at lower elevations.

• Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of strong wind.
• Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
• Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.