Avalanche Forecast

Numerous natural, explosive, and rider-triggered avalanches have been reported throughout the week, ranging in size from 1 to 2.5 on all aspects and elevations.

Several of these avalanches occurred below treeline, sliding on buried surface hoar, and releasing in surprisingly low-angle terrain.

A few explosive-controlled avalanches have failed on the mid-November crust, all size 2 or smaller.

Approximately 40 to 70 cm of recent storm snow now overlies potential weak layers of faceted snow at higher elevations and surface hoar at lower elevations.

A mid-November melt-freeze crust is buried 50 to 100 cm below the surface at lower-alpine elevations (around 2400 m) and below, but this crust appears to be absent in higher-alpine terrain.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 90 to 140 cm and decrease rapidly at lower elevations.

Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy with 2 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Monday
Cloudy with 10 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with 15 to 20 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.