Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

THURSDAY: Periods of snow 15-25 cm. The freezing level peaks near 1400 m but gradually lowers to 500-700 m. Winds are strong from the W-SW. FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks. The freezing level is around 1200 m and winds are light to moderate from the SE. SATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks. The freezing level is around 1000-1200 m and winds are light from the SE.

Observations on Monday and Tuesday were limited due to poor visibility; however, there were a few reports of natural slab avalanches up to size 2 from immediate lee slopes in the alpine. on Monday There was also a report of a size 3 avalanche that initiated on a north aspect in the alpine, and a large natural cornice fall. Expect wind slabs to remain sensitive to rider triggering in steep exposed terrain.

Over the past few days we've seen snowfall accumulations of 5-15 cm each day, and storm snow totals of around 40-60 cm. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine, adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. Some areas are reporting a weak surface hoar layer near the base of the most recent storm snow. An old crust buried in early February can now be found around 80-120 cm below the surface. This crust, which may coexist with small facets or decomposing surface hoar, recently produced sudden planar ("pops") results in snowpack tests. Although no recent avalanches were reported to have failed at this interface, I'd remain suspicious of this layer in steep, unsupported terrain at treeline and in the alpine.