Avalanche Forecast

Moderate -

Sunday marks the start of a pronounced ridge of high pressure that is expected to be with us through at least Tuesday. This period is marked by clearer skies, cooler temperatures and a lack of precipitation.SATURDAY NIGHT: Freezing level returning to valley bottom overnight, strong to extreme west wind, 2 to 10 cm of snow possible.SUNDAY: Scattered cloud cover initially, clearing in the afternoon, freezing level at valley bottom, moderate to strong northwest wind, trace of snow possible.MONDAY: Mostly clear skies in the morning with cloud cover increasing throughout the day, freezing level at valley bottom, light northwest wind, no precipitation expected.TUESDAY: Clear skies, freezing level at valley bottom, light variable wind, no precipitation expected.

On Friday numerous small wind slabs 15 to 20 cm in depth were observed on small north facing rolls around 2000 m.  There was also a report of a natural avalanche underneath a large cornice, photos here. A few natural wind slabs, storm slabs and dry loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on Wednesday and Thursday on steep slopes on a variety of aspects at treeline and alpine elevations.

15 to 40 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500 and 1800 m. In sheltered areas the snow is faceting and lacks cohesion above this layer which is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Slightly warmer temperatures are starting to consolidate the upper snowpack which will likely make slab avalanches more sensitive to human triggering. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.