Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

SUNDAY NIGHT - Early evening flurries, minor accumulations / light to moderate south west wind / low -4

MONDAY DAY - Moderate to heavy accumulations 15-25 cm / moderate south west wind / high of -1 

MONDAY NIGHT - 20-30 cm / gusty south west winds / low of -4

TUESDAY - Cloudy with lingering flurries, light accumulations possible / windy at times / high of -3

WEDNESDAY- Sunny with cloudy periods, high of -5

On Sunday there was extensive natural and explosives triggered avalanche activity up to size 3.

There have also been a few accidentally skier triggered avalanches involving both storm snow and the December crust layer such as this one from the MIN.

 

On Saturday explosives produced results up to size 2 on the early December crust. On Friday there were a few natural size 2 wind slab avalanches reported in the alpine.

Please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network. Thank you to those that have already submitted this winter!

After a break Sunday night, snow will pick up again on Monday. This continued loading will mean more new reactive storm slabs.

Depending on aspect and elevation 60-100 cm now sits on the early December crust. There is increasing evidence that this persistent weak layer, with facetted crystals and surface hoar crystals above and/or below it are reaching a tipping point. 

Deeper in the snowpack are two hard melt-freeze crusts that formed in November that may have some weak crystals around them. There is uncertainty if and where in the region this may be a problem. 

• Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
• Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.