Avalanche Forecast

High -

Thursday Night: Mainly cloudy. Ridgetop wind moderate southwest. Alpine temperatures near -7 and freezing levels 900 m. 

Friday: Cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries. Ridgetop wind light to moderate southwest. Alpine temperatures near -4 and freezing levels 1400 m. 

Saturday: Cloudy with scattered flurries. Ridgetop wind light from the southwest. Alpine temperatures near -3 and freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind light northwest. Alpine temperatures near -5 and freezing level 1300 m. 

Recent avalanche activity has been limited to thin wind slabs to size 1.5 and loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 from steep terrain facing the sun.

 

40-60 cm of new snow blanketed the region by Monday morning. This has been redistributed by primarily southwest winds. Dry snow is likely found on higher elevation north facing terrain. The lower snowpack is strong and settled. The sun and warmer temperatures have likely impacted the snow surface on all aspects except high north.

Cornices along ridgelines are large and looming, especially after this storm. Avoid slopes with cornices overhead and give them a large berth while travelling along ridgelines. 

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.