Avalanche Forecast

A helicopter flight on Wednesday allowed for wider observation of the natural wet avalanche cycle that occurred in the region over the few days prior. Avalanches up to size 2.5 (large) were observed on all aspects and all elevations, with larger slides running surprisingly far given the low snow coverage in many runout zones.

With strong crusts forming and only a trace of new snow in the region since this event, the mountains have gotten very quiet.

A hard surface crust has begun to form on all aspects and elevations with moist or wet snow extending roughly 30 cm below it.

The mid and lower snowpack contains several old crusts that are diminishing in relevance as the surface hardens.

Snow depths decreased significantly as a result of recent rain, particularly below treeline where many areas are again below threshold depth for avalanches. Where coverage remains, it has become patchy and disconnected at all elevations and aspects.

Saturday night

Mainly cloudy. Northeast alpine winds 10 - 20 km/h.

Sunday

Becoming sunny in the afternoon. Southeast alpine winds 20 - 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 with freezing level around 1100 m.

Monday

Increasingly cloudy with isolated flurries bringing a trace of new snow, continuing overnight. Northeast or southeast alpine winds 15 - 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -4 with freezing levels around 1200 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing less than 5 cm of new snow. Up to 5 cm accumulated over the past few days. Southwest alpine wind 10 - 25 km/h, increasing. Treeline temperature -1 with freezing levels to 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.