Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Saturday night: Cloudy with flurries, trace to 10 cm of new snow. Moderate to strong south winds gusting to extreme. Overnight low -8 C.

Sunday: Unsettled with flurries and sunny breaks, 5 cm through the day. Extreme overnight winds decreasing to moderate southwesterlies. Ridgetop high -3 C.

Monday: Flurries and unsettled, trace to 0 cm. Moderate to light southeasterly wind. Ridgetop high reaching 3 C.

Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries and sunny breaks, trace to 5 cm. Moderate westerly wind. Ridgetop high -6 C.

A couple of small (size 1) wind slabs were reactive to skiers on Thursday, about 15 cm deep on a north aspect. Otherwise, there have been no recent avalanche observations since earlier in the week when natural cornice falls were observed throughout the region.

Wind continues to redistribute any loose snow into pressed surfaces and build windslabs at treeline and higher. Below recent snow, a crust can be found on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain where cold snow prevailed through recent warm temperatures. Large overhanging cornices have also been observed in the region recently which may remain sensitive.

A couple of layers of weak crystals in the upper snowpack appear to be bonding well according to recent observations and snowpack tests. 

• 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.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.