Avalanche Forecast

Several size one natural and skier triggered avalanches were reported in the region on Saturday. Many of these were remotely triggered. These avalanches were at treeline and on all aspects.

As more snow falls and the slab stiffens, we expect the size of avalanches to increase.

Check out this MIN that does a great job describing conditions.

Up to 40 cm of new snow has fallen on a layer of large surface hoar.  On steep south facing slopes this surface hoar sits on a thin sun crust. On north and east facing slopes in the alpine new snow has formed wind slab.

The mid pack is generally well settled.

A crust with sugary facets beneath it can be found 20 cm above the ground.

The snowpack is still shallow for this time of year. Average snowpack depth at treeline range from 80 to 120 cm.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy with trace to 5 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -4°C.

Monday

Cloudy with 10 to 30 cm of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 40  km/h, freezing level rising to around 2000 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 15 to 40 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 30 to 60 km/h, freezing level around 2400 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace to 5 cm of new snow expected, south alpine wind  10 to 30 km/h, freezing level falling to 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.