Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

A low pressure system coming up from the south west will brush the area Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning and may bring 5 to 10cm of moist snow to the region. Freezing levels will fluctuate between 200 m overnight and 1000 m in the afternoon on Sunday. Monday the freezing level will again rise to 1000 m with cloudy skies and the possibility of flurries

Numerous  slab avalanches up to size 2.5 have been reported in the past 2 days. Many were naturals as a result of recent storm loading.  A large number were skier controlled. Many of these failed around treeline and below, on buried surface hoar, about 20-40 cm deep. Many of these were triggered remotely, highlighting the volatility of the persistent slab. An increasing number of wind slabs have also been failing at alpine/ treeline elevations, and also running on surface hoar. It is likely that a natural avalanche cycle occurred on Friday in response to the warm, windy storm.

Recent snowfalls have created new storm slabs throughout  the region and wind slabs on lee features. This has also added load and stress to the already touchy persistent slab. The 40-90 cm persistent slab overlies a variety of surfaces including large surface hoar, sun crusts, rime crusts and facets. This persistent slab is ripe for human and natural triggers and is especially touchy at and below treeline. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.