Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Over the last few days, numerous small to large (up to size 3) natural and human triggered avalanches were reported at various elevation bands and aspects. Some involved just the recent storm snow, but others failed up to 100 cm deep, on a persistent weak layer buried in late January. Some avalanches at treeline and below became wet and entrained a lot of debris.

Strong evidence indicate storm slabs and persistent weak layers remain primed for human triggering.

A recent storm deposited 30 to 50 cm of snow across the region. Southwesterly winds enhanced reactivity in wind-affected terrain, forming sensitive storm slabs on leeward slopes. In wind-sheltered areas, storm slabs may rest on facets or surface hoar, while in other locations, they sit atop a widespread crust. Beneath the storm snow, the upper snowpack is weak and faceted, with poor bonding to a persistent weak layer of surface hoar or crust, depending on the aspect. This layer, buried in late January, is found 50 to 100 cm deep across the region. Otherwise, the mid and lower snowpack remains well-settled and strong.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, possible light rain below 1700 m. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.

Friday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2300 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level falling to near valley bottom overnight, then rising to 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
• Use conservative route selection and resist venturing into complex terrain.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
• The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.