Avalanche Forecast

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Saturday night: Partly cloudy. A trace of new snow. Light to moderate southeast wind. Alpine low around -14 °C.

Sunday: Increasing cloud. Possible trace of new snow. Light to moderate southeast wind. Alpine high around -5 °C.

Monday: Snowfall starting 3-10 cm. Light southeast wind building to strong south in the afternoon. Alpine high around -2 °C.

Tuesday: Snowfall 10-20 cm. Moderate to strong southeast wind. Alpine high around -4 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

No reports of avalanche activity since Thursday when natural storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported north of White Pass on north through east aspects in the alpine. It's estimated that they occurred sometime on Tuesday or Wednesday. 

If you head out into the mountains, and you have photos to share, conditions to report on, or just some stoke about the good riding, consider making a post on the Mountain Information Network. 

30-40 cm of recent snow sits over a wind pressed snowpack, or a crust on steep, south facing slopes. Recent winds have varied from southeast to southwest, creating deeper deposits of soft wind slab on north and east facing aspects. Periods of sun on Thursday created a thin surface crust on solar aspects. 

The new snow seems to be bonding well to old surfaces. At lower elevations, where the wind has been calmer, expect the surface snow to be unconsolidated. 

The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time. 

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.