Avalanche Forecast

Moderate -

Cold, dry, arctic air continues to dominate the weather pattern for the foreseeable future.FRIDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, around -20 C in the alpine, potentially strong valley bottom wind event, light to moderate southeast wind in the alpine, trace of snow possible.SATURDAY: Scattered cloud cover at dawn with clouds steadily clearing through the day, freezing level at valley bottom, around -20 C in the alpine, light winds at most elevations, moderate east/southeast wind at ridgetop, no significant snowfall expected.SUNDAY: Clear skies at dawn with cloud cover increasing throughout the day, freezing level at valley bottom, around -20 C in the alpine, potentially strong valley bottom wind event, light southwest wind in the alpine, no significant snowfall expectedMONDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, around -20 C in the alpine, light variable wind at all elevations, no significant snowfall expected.

A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid-January continues to be reactive to human triggers. This layer is sensitive enough for avalanches to trigger remotely (from a distance). Human triggered avalanches size 1.5 to 2.5 were reported on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on a variety of aspects at treeline and below. There have also been a few reports of natural and skier triggered wind slab avalanches in the alpine size 1-2 in the past 3 days.

20-70 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions. The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 40-90cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.