Avalanche Forecast

Sunday night: Cloudy with increasing flurries bringing 10-20 cm of low density new snow. Light to moderate south or southeast winds, increasing to strong at ridgetop.

Monday: Cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace to 5 cm of new snow, easing overnight. Light southwest winds, becoming strong at ridgetop. Alpine temperatures around -17.

Tuesday: Cloudy with scattered flurries and up to 5 cm of new snow, increasing a bit overnight. Light southwest winds, becoming strong at ridgetop. Alpine temperatures around -20.

Wednesday: Clearing. Light southwest winds. Alpine temperatures around -20.

Stormy weather last week brought 40-60 cm of new snow to the region. In parts of the region, this snow has been redistributed into wind slabs by moderate to strong south and southwest winds in exposed areas at all elevations. Elsewhere it may remain low density and pose a limited hazard.

The recent snow buried older wind slabs and other wind-affected surfaces. This older, wind-affected snow forms the upper part of an increasingly consolidated mid-snowpack, which overlies a generally weak basal snowpack.

The bottom 10-20 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and deteriorating crusts. This basal layer has gradually been gaining strength, but potential still exists for large triggers in thin, rocky areas to trigger avalanches at this depth.

• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
• Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.