Avalanche Forecast

On Friday, wind slab avalanches were reported to be reactive to natural and human triggers. A size 1.5 skier remote avalanche was triggered from 10 m away on a west aspect at 1700 m. See MIN for details and photos. A cornice triggered a size 2 avalanche on a northeast slope in the alpine. These are both good reminders to use extra caution as you are transitioning into wind-affected terrain and be aware of the overhead hazard.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

By Monday morning 10-20 cm of new snow will overlie the previous 60-80 cm of wind-affected storm snow and a crust at lower elevations. A melt-freeze crust is found down 50-80 cm and has been reactive in test pits however we have not seen recent avalanches on this layer.

The snowpack in this region is generally weak and shallow with sugary snow near the base. Snowpack depths around treeline range between 150 to 250 cm.

Sunday Night

Cloudy with convective flurries bringing 10 cm accumulation, perhaps up to 20 cm locally. Strong southwest winds easing to 20 km/h by morning. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing levels drop from 1200 m to 500 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 1-2 cm accumulation. West winds gusting 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Convective overnight flurries, 3-10 cm accumulation.

Tuesday

Sunny. Winds north northwest 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Wednesday

Sunny. Winds west 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.