Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Tuesday, a couple small (size 1.5) Dry Loose avalanches were reported in steep, northeast facing alpine terrain.

Several size one storm slab and dry loose avalanches were reported on Sunday. These avalanches ran on a layer of facets and surface hoar just beneath the new snow.

Looking forward, we expect that the incoming weather will make human triggered avalanches more likely.

15 to 30 cm of new snow now overlies a very wind affected surface. Strong to extreme southwest winds will likely be stripping windward terrain, and forming deeper deposits in leeward terrain, possibly further downslope than usual. Also, watch for cross-loading in gullies.

Faceting of the upper snowpack is widespread, and surface hoar up to 8 mm has been buried beneath the new snow at the treeline and below.

Two layers of surface hoar exist between 55 cm and 80 cm beneath the snow surface. There hasn't been much avalanche activity on these layers.

A layer of facets on top of a crust from early December is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. This layer is generally not a concern in this region.

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. Ridgetop winds increasing to 30 to 50 km/h southwest. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rising to 500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. Rain below 500 m. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow above 750 m, rain below. 50 to 75 km/h south ridgetop wind . Treeline high 0 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 15 to 30 cm of snow above 1000 m, rain below. Treeline high 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.