Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

We expect that many avalanches occurred in the region over the past few days from wet, stormy conditions. Looking forward, riders could trigger storm slab avalanches in steep terrain features at high elevations.

Around 10 to 20 cm of snow likely accumulated at higher elevations, particularly in the southern extent of the region. This snow sits on wet snow that will slowly freeze into a hard melt-freeze crust.

A spotty surface hoar layer may be found about 20 to 30 cm deep. It is likely that the intense rain from earlier this week either avalanched or squashed this layer, but it could linger in isolated features.

The middle and base of the snowpack may also be moist from the rain, though weak faceted grains could persist where the snowpack isn't fully moist.

Snowpack depths at treeline are approximately 30 to 60 cm. The snowpack tapers drastically with elevation below treeline.

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with trace to 10 cm of snow, northwest alpine wind 20 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 10 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm snow, south alpine wind 60 km/h, treelin temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.