Avalanche Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: A cold front crossing the region will most likely deliver just 5 cm of snow but there's potential for local enhancement of up to 15 cm, strong west wind, freezing level drops to valley bottom with alpine temperatures dropping to -8 C.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy in the morning then some sunny breaks in the afternoon, moderate west wind with strong gusts, freezing level rises from valley bottom to 1200 m, alpine temperatures around -5 C.

THURSDAY: Sunny, freezing level climbing from valley bottom to 1800 m in the afternoon, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperatures around -1 C.

FRIDAY: Increasing cloud with light flurries in the afternoon, moderate wind from the southwest, freezing level rises from 1200 m in the morning to 1800 m in the afternoon, alpine high temperatures around -3 C.

A few small loose avalanches were observed on sun-exposed slopes on Tuesday, otherwise no notable avalanches were reported on Monday or Tuesday. Over the weekend a few small wind slab avalanches (see this MIN report) and size 2 cornice falls were reported. The cornice falls did not trigger any slabs on the slopes below.

5-15 cm of new snow and strong wind will form isolated wind slabs in alpine terrain on Wednesday. A crust can be found near the surface up to 2000 m on solar aspects and up to 1700 m on all other aspects. Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected.

A thick rain crust that has facets associated with it sits 30-60 cm below the surface and can be found up to ridge top. We have only seen one avalanche on this layer since February 17th. The mid-pack is well settled and strong, but the base of the snowpack contains basal facets that are most prominent in shallow rocky start zones.

• Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
• Large cornice falls are dangerous on their own.