Avalanche Forecast

Thursday night: Scattered flurries bringing 10-15 cm of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds. Alpine temperatures around -7 C.

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate west to southwest winds. Alpine high around -10 C.

Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries bringing around 5 cm of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds. Alpine high around -6 C.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries bringing a trace of new snow. Moderate southwest winds. Alpine high around -3 C.

Reports of avalanche activity over the past couple weeks have been steady, with each substantial snowfall accompanied by storm slab activity. Reports since Monday consist of explosive and skier controlled storm slab avalanches mostly around size 1.5, with some explosive triggered size 2. These MIN reports from last weekend describe natural storm slab avalanche activity including a cornice triggered size 2 storm slab.

As temperatures trend milder, the new snow will take on more soft slab character than the unconsolidated fluff we were seeing in previous days. In the alpine, the new snow rests on wind affected surfaces. Expect freshly wind loaded pockets in lee features and continued cornice growth.

Several crust layers exist in the mid snowpack as a result of previous warming and rain events. These have not been identified as bed surfaces or failure planes in recent avalanche activity.

The bottom 10-20 cm of the snowpack consists of faceted snow and decomposing crusts. Although inherently weak, this basal layer has not been an active avalanche problem in our region for several weeks.

• Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
• Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
• Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.