Avalanche Forecast

A high pressure system brings clear dry conditions for the foreseeable future.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, calm, freezing level drops to valley bottom, alpine temperatures drop to -6 C.

THURSDAY: Sunny, light wind, freezing level climbing to 1600 m in the afternoon, alpine high temperatures around -2 C.

FRIDAY: Sunny, light northwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1600 m in the afternoon, alpine high temperatures around -2 C.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate northwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1200 m in the afternoon, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.

Warm sunny weather over the past few days has resulted in wet loose avalanches on south-facing slopes, especially in steep rocky terrain. Most of these have been small (size 1-1.5). Some of the wet loose avalanches have triggered small (size 1-1.5) wind slabs, as seen in the photo in this MIN report.

Looking forward, daily warming will likely cause more wet loose avalanches and potentially weaken cornices and lingering wind slabs.

A surface crust now exists in all terrain except shaded alpine slopes, while open terrain is heavily wind affected. The surface will soften during the heat of the day. The snowpack is generally strong and settled, with the exception of some areas that have weak faceted snow near the base of the snowpack, particularly in eastern and northern parts of the region. However, this layer is considered dormant and has not produced an avalanche since Feb 20.

• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.