Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Sunday night: Clearing, light to moderate northwest wind, low of -12, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Monday: Sunny, strong outflow winds, alpine high of -10.

Tuesday: Increasing cloud, outflows easing to light northwest wind, alpine high of -8.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate northwest wind, alpine high of -6.

On Saturday, a remotely triggered size 2 was reported in this MIN. A few skier triggered size 1s and an explosive controlled size 2 were also reported.

During the storm on Thursday and Friday, avalanche activity was predominantly natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches size 1-2. Skier and explosive triggered storm slabs were also reported size 2.

 

30-50 cm of recent snow has been wind affected at upper elevations. At mid elevations, it may contain a thin rain crust. Below 1300 m, a surface crust has formed over moist snow.

The recent snow sits over a 10-30 cm thick rain crust which effectively caps the underlying snowpack, making human triggering of avalanches on deeper weak layers very unlikely. However, cornice failures may still have potential to trigger these deeper weak layers, resulting in very large avalanches.

• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.