Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region. Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Saturday Night: Snow, accumulation 10-20 cm. Alpine temperature -2 C. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm. Alpine temperature -3 C. Moderate south wind. Freezing level dropping to 500m.

Monday: Isolated flurries, Alpine temperature -4 C. Light to moderate west wind. Freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperature -6. Light west wind. 

A natural avalanche cycle likely occurred Saturday with heavy loading from snow/rain and wind Friday night and through the day Saturday. Expect natural avalanche activity to persist into Sunday.

There was a report of an explosives triggered storm slab avalanche on Friday along with several skier triggered size 1 storm slab and loose wet avalanches.

Snowfall over the past few days at upper elevations has covered a previously variable and wind-affected surface. Expect the surface snow at lower elevations (below 1600 m) to be moist or wet due to rain.

The bottom half of the snowpack consists of crusts from November and October and facets near the base. Overall, the snowpack is shallow and variable throughout the region. Snowpack depths range between 50-100 cm around treeline and taper rapidly below.

• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
• Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of runout zones.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.