Avalanche Forecast

Low

Several small (size 1) wind slab avalanches in alpine terrain have been reported since Wednesday morning.

Observations are limited at this time of year. If you do head out, do so with a cautious and investigative mindset, and consider submitting a MIN report.

As much as 40 cm of recent snow now sits on top of a crust, that varies in thickness and strength. Surfaces in the alpine have been heavily affected by recent winds. The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated with no current layers of concern.

Observations are minimal, but a problematic combination of crusts and facets at the base of the snowpack has been reported in upper alpine terrain.

Snowpack depths vary from 50 to 150 cm at the treeline. The deepest snowpacks are found in the more western/coastal regions.

Thursday Night

Cloudy with trace amounts of snow, southeast alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, southeast alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 30 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, south alpine wind 50 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.