Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Wednesday, a field team triggered loose, moist avalanches below treeline in steep, unsupported terrain.

Isolated natural activity has been observed along highway corridor Monday/Tuesday this week. Avalanches have been dry, loose sluffs from steep terrain.

Warm temps are settling 10-20 cm of new snow into a slab. This slab overlies a spring like surface. This includes: soft snow in protected terrain on polar aspects, breakable crust on steep solar aspects, and variable wind slab in exposed terrain at ridge top.

A strong crust (widespread below 2500m) is down 40-60cm.

The mid to lower snowpack continues to round - except in isolated areas of the alpine where an unusually thin & faceted snowpack exists.

A brief ridge of high pressure is in place for Thurs, followed by an approaching frontal system from the NW on Fri.

Tonight: Cloudy/flurries, Alp low -6°C, ridgetop winds W light, FZ Lvl: 1300m

Thurs: Cloudy/isolated flurries, Alp high -6°C, light W wind, FZ Lvl: 1600m

Fri: Flurries, 5cm, Alp high -7°C, light/gusting mod SW wind, FZ Lvl: 1300m

Sat: Flurries, 10cm, Alp high -6°C, light/gusting to mod W wind

• Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
• Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
• Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.