Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Synopsis: The weather pattern should remain cool and unsettled through the weekend. Expect periods of light to moderate precipitation mixed with sunny breaks most days. The greatest amount of precipitation should be on Saturday (10-20 mm or cm). Freezing levels should climb to 1600-1800 m each day and rebound to around 1300-1500 m overnight. Ridgetop winds are generally light to moderate from the southwest. It looks like a building ridge of high pressure could bring drier and much warmer conditions early next week.

There are very few observers in the field; however, one observer from the northern part of the region reported several easily triggered wind slabs from steep lee terrain on Thursday.

This is a broad general summary of conditions in the region based solely on recent weather data and previous snowpack information. It should be supplemented with local observations to help assess avalanche danger. Please refer to this document for additional snow and avalanche information and general travel advice. Over the past week we have seen moderate amounts of moist or wet new snow mixed with showers or periods of rain below 1600-1800 m. Westerly winds have likely formed pockets of wind slab at higher elevations in lee of ridges and terrain features. The late January/early February persistent weak layer is deeply buried but could still wake up during periods of heavy precipitation (especially rain) or significant warming and solar radiation. Be particularly wary of this on large open alpine slopes. Cornices are large in some areas and should be given a wide berth.