Avalanche Forecast

Low

• We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred Monday, producing slabs up to size 3.5. A few human-triggered size 1 to 2 slabs were reported Tuesday, with limited reports Wednesday and Thursday.

Human-triggered slabs remain likely on Friday as steady wind and snowfall continue to load slopes.

Strong winds have scoured, pressed, and loaded snow surfaces.

Roughly 40 to 60 cm of storm snow from the past week is settling and appears well-bonded in most areas, although some reports suggest it may not be due to underlying layers of surface hoar and facets on a crust. How quickly the storm snow will stabilize remains uncertain.

A more widespread crust and facet layer from January is buried 120 to 160 cm deep, and the mid and lower snowpack is well settled and bonded.

Thursday Night

Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
• Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
• Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.