Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainties in both the snowpack structure and the weather forecast limit our confidence.

FRIDAY NIGHT: 5-15 cm of snow overnight, 40-60 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures around -3 C.

SATURDAY: Scattered flurries bring another 5-20 cm of snow above 1000 m, 40-70 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -3 C.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 20-30 km/h wind from the south, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.

MONDAY: Next frontal system arrives bringing 5-15 cm of snow by the afternoon, 50-80 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -3 C.

No recent avalanches have been reported.

10-30 cm of new snow and strong wind could form reactive slabs at upper elevations on Saturday. Currently, sheltered terrain has 20-30 cm of low density snow while exposed terrain has been affected by recent wind from the south and southwest. Reports suggest there are two buried layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack, both 25-50 cm below the surface. In windward terrain the snow may be scoured down to a hard crust from November. In leeward terrain, this crust is 40-80 cm deep. Older crusts can be found deeper in the snowpack and are generally breaking down. In areas with a relatively thin snowpack, the base of the snowpack likely consists of weak faceted grains.

• Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
• Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 25cm of new snow.
• If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.