Avalanche Forecast

Widespread natural activity was observed on Thursday, with loose and slab avalanches produced up to size 4.5. Avalanches varied from failing within the recent storm storm to a variety of buried weak layers.

While most have been naturally triggered, some recent avalanches were remote-triggered indicating a very weak snowpack.

Continued persistent slab activity is expected, as well as widespread loose wet avalanches and cornice failures as warming persists.

Expect to find moist or wet snow at all elevations. 40-80 cm of snow from the past week is rapidly settling over a variety of layers including surface hoar in isolated shady areas, buried 60-100 cm deep.

A layer of weak facets on a crust is buried 100-200 cm deep. These weak layers show sensitivity to both human and natural triggers and continue to produce large, destructive avalanches.

The warm temperatures are expected to increase reactivity of all buried weak layers, producing large natural avalanches.

Friday Night

Sunny. 10 km/h easterly wind. Freezing level remains above 3000 m overnight.

Saturday

Sunny. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +8 °C with freezing level steady at 3300 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 30 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +8 °C with freezing level holding at 3300 m.

Monday

Sunny. 10 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +6 °C with freezing levels remaining above 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.
• Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
• Avoid the runout zones of avalanche paths. Very large avalanches have been running full path.
• The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.