Avalanche Forecast

Fair

Synopsis: An arctic ridge of high pressure will dominate the weather pattern over the next few days resulting in cool temperatures, mainly sunny skies, and strong outflow winds (from the east-northeast) in coastal inlets and valleys. A temperature inversion may develop on Monday and we could see above freezing temperatures in the alpine on Tuesday.

Parts of the region reported a widespread natural avalanche cycle that likely occurred on Thursday and/or Friday. Avalanches up to size 3 were reported. Several natural loose snow avalanches were also reported on Friday on south aspects when the sun poked out. Rider triggered avalanches, remotely triggered avalanches, and whumpfing continues throughout the region. This highlights the touchy nature of the snowpack. Slight changes from snow loading, wind loading, or solar radiation could be enough to tip the scales.

Recent snowfall amounts vary considerably throughout the region. Some areas received as much as 45 cm of convective power flurries over the past couple days. The prominent mid February persistent weakness, consisting of surface hoar, facets, crust and/or wind pressed surfaces, is down 60-100 cm in the north and 120-160 cm in the south. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, natural avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations are a strong indication of poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Previous strong W-NW winds and forecast E-NE winds will likely create wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain at all elevations.