Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

  

SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -4 / Freezing level 1800 m.

SUNDAY: Sunny with increasing cloud in afternoon / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 0 / Freezing level 1800 m.

MONDAY: Sunny / Light, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -2 / Freezing level 1400 m.

TUESDAY: Sunny / Light, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -1 / Freezing level 1600 m.

No avalanches were reported in this region on Friday. However, the rapidly rising freezing level and sunny skies are expected to elevate the avalanche hazard through the weekend.

5-15 cm. of recent convective snow and moderate southwesterly winds have formed fresh wind slabs below alpine ridgetops. Dry snow can be found on north aspects and crusty snow surfaces exist on solar aspects. Large cornices loom over alpine ridgetops.

A persistent weak layer made up of surface hoar at treeline elevations and a crust with facets in the alpine on solar aspects can be found down 50-150 cm. in some parts of the region. No recent avalanches have been reported on these layers. 

Big warm ups can awaken dormant weak layers resulting in large avalanches. Steep, rocky, convex terrain with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack are examples of places where triggering these layers are more likely.

Sunshine and warm temperatures often cause large cornice failures which are hazardous on their own and can also trigger large avalanches on deeper weak layers that the weight of a single rider would not trigger.

• Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
• Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.