Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the complexity of the snowpack’s structure.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy, light wind from the northwest, alpine temperatures drop to -12 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with light flurries and 2-8 cm of snow, light wind from the north with moderate gusts, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, 30-50 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

Wind slab avalanches have been reactive to human triggering the past few days, including a size 2 avalanche that had impressive propagation on Friday. Gusty wind over the past few days has likely left unstable wind slabs in exposed terrain. Last weekend a widespread cycle of very large deep persistent slab avalanches occurred (up to size 3), and while the likelihood of triggering a deep persistent slab avalanche has declined since then the consequences are severe.

The snowpack is gradually recovering from a major storm that delivered 50-100 cm of snow last weekend. Wind has blown around surface snow into unstable wind slabs in steep terrain at higher elevations. The bottom 30-50 cm of the snowpack consists of weak facets and crusts, which resulted in large deep persistent slab avalanches last weekend. These layers are gradually adjusting to the weight of the new snow, and so the likelihood of triggering deep persistent slab avalanches is declining. The latest forecaster blog discusses managing this tricky deep persistent slab avalanche problem (check it out here).

• Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
• Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.