Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

There were a few size 1 to 1.5 wind slab avalanches reported over the weekend. These were running southwest through north aspects at treeline and in the alpine. There were also some reports of whumpfing and cracking in the Mt Cokely area.

If you are heading into the backcountry, consider posting a MIN.

About 15 to 30 cm of new snow from the weekend sits old wind-affected snow, facets or surface hoar in sheltered areas, or a sun crust. At upper elevations wind blowing from a variety of directions has redistributed storm snow into fresh wind slabs in lee terrain. A widespread crust, sometimes accompanied by a thin layer of weak facets, is buried 30 to 70 cm beneath predominantly low-density snow. Otherwise, the mid and lower snowpack contains no other layers of concern.

Monday Night

Cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 15 to 25 cm of snow. 30 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level around 1200 m

Thursday

Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 15 to 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level around 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
• Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.