Avalanche Forecast

Low - Due to the number of field observations

A weak upper trough Tuesday should deliver a good shot of precipitation and wind before a vigorous low makes landfall on Wednesday which has potential to bring significant precipitation. Unfortunately the weather models have not yet agreed on a solution with regard to track and intensity, but there will likely be less uncertainty as we get closer to Wednesday. Stay tuned for more details. TUESDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 500 m, moderate to strong northwest wind, 10 to 20 cm of snow.WEDNESDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 750 m, potentially strong to extreme south/southwest wind, latest model run shows about 10 cm of snow. Stay tuned for more details. THURSDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 1000 m, light southeast wind, trace of snow possible.

No new activity to report from Saturday or Sunday. The new snow was reactive to skier activity on Friday, producing small (size 1) dry loose and storm slabs. See this MIN report that talks about storm slabs 10 to 40 cm in depth here.

Around 30 to 40 cm of storm snow fell on Friday and another 10 to 15 cm of snow fell Saturday night into Sunday. Both of these storms had strong southerly winds. All of this snow rests on previously wind-affected surfaces and a sun crust on southerly aspects.A hard rain crust that extends into alpine terrain is buried about 60 to 100 cm. Reports suggest the snow has a poor bond to the crust with test results showing sudden planar characteristics and a Rutschblock 2 (the whole block failing after standing on it). Monitor the bonds of the new snow as well as the bond of the snow directly above the buried crust. There are no substantial layers of concern below the crust.Also make note of cornices at ridgeline. Variable winds in the past month have produced cornices on all aspects. They will become touchier as they grow in size, as temperatures rise, and as the sun packs a strong punch on clear days. Stand well back of them!