Avalanche Forecast

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear with some clouds, calm wind, alpine low -16 C, freezing level at valley bottom. 

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine high 0 C, freezing level 1500 m.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 km/h southeast wind, alpine high 2 C, freezing level 1900 m. 

THURSDAY: Increasing cloud coverage, trace of new snow, 30 km/h southeast wind, alpine high 2 C, freezing level 2000 m.

On Sunday, several loose wet avalanches of size 1 to 2 were reported from steep solar aspects. 

Numerous natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed on solar aspects on Saturday. A few small wet slab avalanches were reported as well as a couple cornice failures of size 2 which did not trigger avalanches on the slopes below.

Naturally triggered wet loose avalanches were reported up to size 2 on solar aspects in the alpine on Friday. 

Sunny skies and warm temperatures formed sun crusts on solar aspects at all elevations and up to 2000 m on polar aspects. Dry snow still exists on north aspects at upper elevations. Large cornices loom over alpine ridgetops.

Persistent weak layers of surface hoar, crusts, and/or facets 80-120 cm down have recently been unreactive and no recent avalanches have been reported on these layers. 

• Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches