Avalanche Forecast

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 40 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -9 C.

THURSDAY: Clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level rising to 1400 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 20 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -3 C.

Widespread wet avalanche activity was observed on Tuesday, occurring out of steep terrain at treeline elevations and below. A few wind slab avalanches and potential persistent slab avalanches were also observed from afar between 1900 to 2200 m, occurring on northerly aspects.

A dusting of snow will fall onto moist snow or a hard melt-freeze crust on all aspects below around 2000 m. At high elevations where recent precipitation fell as snow, wind slabs may linger in steep, lee terrain features from recent southerly wind. The snow surface may moisten during daytime warming, particularly on sun-exposed slopes.

A weak layer may be found around 40 to 80 cm deep in the western half of the region. The layer consists of surface hoar crystals in treeline terrain in areas sheltered from the wind and otherwise a hard melt-freeze crust associated with weak faceted grains on sun-exposed slopes. Check out this blog for more information. This layer may linger in isolated areas within the region.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.