Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Rockies.
New wind slabs may form at high elevations.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 10 cm, 10 to 20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1900 m dropping to 1200 m.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1500 m.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1700 m.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1800 m.
Avalanche Summary
A few small wet loose avalanches were observed on Sunday and Monday.
Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15 cm of snow is forecast to accumulate on Monday night into Tuesday with southwest wind. New wind slabs may form in lee terrain features at higher elevations. The snow will fall onto consolidated snow or a hard melt-freeze crust. Below the rain-snow line, rain will wet a consolidated snowpack.
The remainder of the snowpack is strong, consisting of hard snow and various melt-freeze crusts.
Terrain and Travel
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Snow and wind may form new wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2