Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

A ridge of high pressure brings very warm and sunny conditions which are expected to persist until the end of Sunday. 

Thursday night: Clearing overnight, moderate NW wind easing overnight, freezing levels 2500-2800 m.

Friday: Sunny, light N wind, freezing levels around 2800 m. 

Saturday: Sunny, light variable wind, freezing levels around 3000 m.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate SW wind, freezing levels 2500-3000 m. 

On Wednesday, ski cutting triggered some small loose wet avalanches which were failing in the top 10 cm and sliding on top of the crust. Numerous natural solar-triggered loose wet avalanches were observed last weekend. 

Light rain on Tuesday and ongoing high freezing levels have moistened the surface on all aspects and elevations. The formation of surface crust is expected on Thursday night with clear skies in the forecast. Any crust that does form may deteriorate with daytime heating and sun.

The late-January melt-freeze crust is now down around 40 cm and is reported to be knife hard and up to 30 cm thick. This crust extends to at least the top of treeline. While the snow above appears to be well bonded to this crust, we will continue to track it through this period of warming and sun for any signs of instabilities. 

Another prominent crust from mid-January is now down around 1 m but this crust no longer appears to be a concern in the region. 

Below the mid-January crust, the middle and lower snowpack are considered well settled and strong.

• Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.