Avalanche Forecast

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

Monday night: Clear with cloudy periods, moderate northeast wind, alpine low -12 °C, freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday: Sunny, moderate northeast wind, alpine high -9 °C, freezing level at valley bottom. 

Wednesday: Mix of sun and clouds, trace of new snow, strong southwest wind, alpine high -8 °C, freezing level at valley bottom.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy, up to 4 cm snow, extreme south wind, alpine high -7 °C, freezing level at valley bottom.

Skiers were surprised by wind slab avalanches on north and northeast aspects in the White Pass area on Friday. The slabs were about 20 cm thick and the avalanches reached up to size 2. Slabs were still reactive to skier traffic on Saturday.

30-40 cm of recent snow are sitting on old firm surfaces. Strong wind from the south and west transported the snow and formed wind slabs on Sunday. The bond between the recent snow and the old firm surfaces was reactive to skier traffic in the last few days. On steep, south aspects at treeline and below, there is potential for the existence of a thin sun crust. 

The lower snowpack is well bridged by the layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time. 

• Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.