Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with an additional 5-10 cm new snow as a weak front passes the region overnight with moderate to strong winds from the southwest shifting northwest as the storm diminishes in the early morning. Alpine low temperatures around -10 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries and the chance of sunny breaks. Winds will be moderate from the west and alpine high temperatures around -8 C. Snow flurries will resume late in the day.

MONDAY: Cloudy with snow flurries and overnight snow accumulations of 5 to 10 cm of snow which should end by early morning. Winds will be moderate from the northwest with alpine high temperatures around -7 C. 

TUESDAY: Broken skies with a mix of isolated flurries and sun. Winds in the morning will be light northwest with alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

Reports from Friday showed both natural and skier triggered avalanches across the forecast region to size 2. Numerous small (size 1) wind slabs were triggered by skiers down 15-40 cm at ridge top features in addition to a couple larger skier triggered avalanches (size 2) where impressive propagation was noted. Additionally, widespread sluffing large enough to bury or push someone into a terrain trap (size 1.5) was reported in the low density snow in terrain over 40 degrees. Isolated reactivity in steep sheltered terrain of small (size 1) soft storm slab avalanches below treeline was also reported on Friday. 

Preliminary reports from Saturday suggest ongoing skier triggering of small to large (size 1-2) wind slab and storm slab avalanches. With more wind and snow in the forecast fresh wind slabs will likely continue to be reactive on Sunday at upper elevations in steep or unsupported terrain near ridge top. Storm snow will continue to settle into soft slabs with slightly warmer daytime temps and additional new snow. Dry loose sluffing in steep sheltered terrain will likely continue to run far and fast, particularly where temperatures remain cool and snow low density. 

35-80 cm of low density snow fell in the past week with moderate to strong southwest to westerly winds. This built variable soft and hard wind slabs in cross-loaded and lee features in the alpine and at ridgetop. Storm slab properties may also be developing in some sheltered locations at and below treeline, particularly with day time warming. Many solar aspects have a sun crust up to 2000 m and small surface hoar has been reported in some isolated areas in open terrain at treeline. A widespread rain crust from early February can be found up to 1900 m across the region and to mountain top elevations in some areas, and is now buried 40-80 cm, depending on elevation. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong. 

• Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
• Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.