Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

  

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -1 / Freezing level 2000 m.

SATURDAY: Sunny / Moderate, northeast ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 2 / Freezing level 1500 m.

SUNDAY: Sunny / Moderate, southeast ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 5 / Freezing level rapidly rising to 2800 m.

MONDAY: Sunny / Light, southeast ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 4 / Freezing level 2500 m.

Several naturally triggered wet slab avalanches up to size 2.5 and numerous wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Thursday. See MIN.

Keep in mind that periods of rapid warming can weaken deeply buried weak layers and increase the likelihood of large natural avalanches.

 Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive in isolated areas on northerly aspects at upper elevations. All other terrain is undergoing a melt-freeze cycle with successive days of high freezing levels.

 Strong solar radiation and warming often trigger wet loose avalanches and large cornice failures. Cornice falls could trigger large avalanches on deeply buried weak layers. 

While there have not been many weak layers of concern this season, Keep in mind that periods of rapid warming can weaken deeply buried weak layers and increase the likelihood of large natural avalanches.This will more likely be an issue in shallow snowpack areas like the Wheaton compared to the thicker and stronger snowpack around White Pass.

• Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
• The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.