Avalanche Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

THURSDAY: Sunny, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1000 m.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1200 m.

SATURDAY: 5-10 cm snow, light to moderate west wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 800 m.

Several natural and skier triggered slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on primarily east/southeast aspects at treeline and above on Tuesday. On Sunday there were reports of a few small slabs triggered above the rain crust at low elevations in steep gully features, a small slab running on a sun crust on southeast slope at treeline, and another small slab failing on a surface hoar layer on a west aspect in the trees. Although these avalanches were small, they highlight the current potential to trigger storm slabs on a wide variety of terrain.

Sunny weather could weaken cornices and snow on steep south-facing slopes. 30-60 cm of recent storm snow is gradually settling and gaining strength, but has shown some isolated signs of reactivity on wind loaded slopes, steep convexities in sheltered terrain (where the snow sits above small surface hoar or sun crusts), and steep gully features at low elevations (where the snow may be poorly bonded to the early February rain crust). These interfaces are unlikely to develop into a persistent problem, but for the next few days storm slabs could remain reactive on these isolated terrain features. The lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.

• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
• Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.