Avalanche Forecast

Sunday, several loose wet avalanches were observed on steep sunny slopes, ranging from small to large (size 1 to 2). With the forecast cooling trend, loose wet avalanches will be unlikely.

Saturday, three very large (size 3) persistent slab avalanches were observed in the north of the region. They occurred on south-facing alpine slopes and were likely triggered by daytime warming. Persistent slabs are expected to remain triggerable despite the cooler weather.

A thick widespread crust exists on the surface in most areas.

At lower elevations, the surface crust may soften with warming during the day or the snowpack may be may be isothermal.Dry powder snow still exists on high north-facing alpine slopes and a weak layer of surface hoar is developing in sheltered terrain at treeline and above.

Various weak layers, including crusts, facets, and/or surface hoar exist approximately 40 to 80 cm deep. An additional crust and facet layer may be found 100 to 150+ cm below the surface.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature drops to around -3 °C. Freezing level drops to 500 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of new snow. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy with a trace of new snow possible. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
• Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.