Avalanche Forecast

On Thursday, several large (up to size 2.5) natural and rider triggered wind slab avalanches were reported. These occurred mostly on north through east aspects in the alpine.

On Wednesday, several rider-triggered slab were reported on all aspects at treeline and above, up to size 2.

Recently, avalanches have surprised people with wider than expected propagation and remote triggering from afar. See example in photo.

Depending on temperature and time of day, a sun crust or moist snow will likely exist on steep south facing aspects. The alpine is generally wind-affected. In sheltered terrain, 15 to 25 cm of snow overlies a variety of surfaces including a weak layer of small surface hoar and/or another thin sun crust on solar aspects.

The widespread crust buried in early February is down 30 to 50 cm and has recently been touchy to human and machine triggers. In most places this crust is widespread up to 2400 m.

Friday Night

Sunny. No new snow expected. Light southeast ridgetop wind, possibly moderate on the western side of the forecast area. Treeline temperature around -5 °C. Possible temperature inversion.

Saturday

Sunny. No new snow expected. Light southeast ridgetop wind, possibly moderate on the western side of the forecast area. Treeline temperature around -2 °C. Possible temperature inversion.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature dropping to around -6 °C. Temperature inversion starting to break down.

Monday

Partly cloudy. 0-1 cm of snow expected. Light southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C. Freezing level rising to between 1000 m and 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Choose slopes that are well supported and have limited consequence.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.