Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Rockies.
Assess for wind slabs in steep terrain features.
Confidence
High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies with no precipitation, 20 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -6 C.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level rising to 1600 m.
THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -1 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2000 m.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature 0 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2200 m.
Avalanche Summary
A few small wet loose avalanches were observed on Sunday and Monday.
Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.
Snowpack Summary
2 to 10 cm of snow accumulated on Tuesday, which sits on hard snow or a melt-freeze crust. Strong southwest wind may have formed wind slabs in lee terrain features in the alpine. At low elevations below treeline, a moist and consolidated snowpack exists. Remember that cornices are large and looming at this time of year.
The remainder of the snowpack is strong, consisting of hard snow and various melt-freeze crusts.
Terrain and Travel
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Small wind slabs may be found in lee terrain features. Use caution entering steep terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2