Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

FRIDAY NIGHT: 5-10 cm of snow, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperatures drop to -12 C.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries and localized accumulations of 5 cm, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.SUNDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with light flurries in the afternoon, light northeast wind, alpine high temperatures around -12 C.

Activity on Thursday was limited to sluffing in steep terrain and some isolated whumpfing on south aspects.Human triggered avalanches were reported everyday between February 12 and 20. Although most avalanches were small (size 1-1.5), some have shown impressive propagation (see some examples here and here).On Tuesday, a notable size 3 persistent slab avalanche occurred on an east aspect between 1800-2100 m. This avalanche was triggered by explosives and it reportedly failed on the persistent weak layer that was buried on February 7th.

A weak storm has brought 10-25 cm of low density snow that now covers variable wind slabs at higher elevations and sun crusts on south-facing slopes.A weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. This layer has been reactive, and has produced avalanches as large as size 3. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. These layers are most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects. The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.