Avalanche Forecast

Human triggered avalanches continue to be reported throughout the region. Many of these avalanches have been remotely triggered. This MIN post gives a great description of the type of avalanche activity we are still seeing.

We expect this type of avalanche activity to continue.

The wind has come from a variety of directions, wind effect could be found on all exposed terrain at higher elevations.

40 to 80 cm overlies a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 60 to 120 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it. The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear. 15 to 30 km/h west or northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -15°C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.

Friday

Cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of snow. 25 to 40 km/h south alpine wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. 30 to 60 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
• Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.