Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Rockies.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
A strong southeast flow system will bring snowfall beginning late Thursday afternoon. Amounts are uncertain but accumulations of more than 15 cm by Friday morning may be possible in some areas.TONIGHT: Flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind moderate, southwest. Temperature near -9. Freezing level lowering to valley bottom.THURSDAY: Snow increasing in the afternoon and overnight. Accumulation 10-15 cm. Ridge wind light to moderate, southeast. Temperature near 0. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy, flurries increasing overnight. Accumulation 2-10 cm. Ridge wind light, east. Temperature near -4. Freezing level 600 m.SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light, northeast. Temperature near -5. Freezing level 600 m.
Avalanche Summary
There have been no new avalanches reported since Monday when both natural and skier triggered loose dry avalanches in steep terrain, as well as skier and explosive triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 1 were reported.
Snowpack Summary
Strong to extreme winds have scoured windward slopes and formed cornices and hard and soft wind slabs on (downwind) alpine and treeline slopes. These wind slabs overlie various surfaces, including older hard wind slabs, crusts, facets and spotty surface hoar.The lower snowpack is weak with two primary concerns that are generally widespread:1) A widespread weak layer from mid-December composed of facets, crusts, and surface hoar that is 100-150 cm deep.2) A rain crust with sugary facets buried in late November near the bottom of the snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5