Avalanche Forecast

Early in the week, a natural avalanche cycle occurred with heavy snowfall on Monday night and Tuesday. Avalanches were reported as size 2-3 wind slabs, storm slabs and persistent slabs on northwest, northeast and southeast aspects in the alpine and treeline elevation bands. The persistent slab avalanches were suspected to have run on the facet/crust layer buried in mid-January (outlined in the avalanche problem section).

Looking forward to Saturday, snowfall and increasing southwesterly winds may form small but reactive wind slabs by the end of the day. Riders should be aware that stiffer and less reactive slabs may linger in lee and cross-loaded areas from previous strong northeasterly winds.

Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Previous northeasterly winds have redistributed 20-40 cm of recent storm snow and formed stiff wind slabs in exposed areas. In sheltered areas, surface faceting due to cold temperatures and/or soft surface snow remains.

A melt-freeze crust formed in mid-January is buried up to 90-140 cm deep. In some areas, small faceted crystals can be found above the crust. This layer has been reactive during the storm Tuesday night and Wednesday this week. The snow below this layer is well consolidated.

Snowpack depths are just below seasonal averages. Total amounts range from 150 to 300 cm at treeline, but decreases significantly below 1500 m.

Friday night

Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures around -14 °C. Ridge wind southwest 10-20 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -6 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday

Cloudy with snowfall, 5-15 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -3 °C. Ridge wind 20km/h gusting to 65 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level 700 meters.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -1 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 50 km/h from the southeast. Freezing level 800 meters.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.