Avalanche Forecast

Moderate -

A mix of sun and cloud is expected on Tuesday with possibility of isolated flurries. Alpine wind is expected to be light and afternoon freezing levels are forecast to reach around 1000 m. Similar conditions are expected for Wednesday and Thursday with a mix of sun and cloud, light alpine wind, and treeline temperatures around -10C.

On Sunday, avalanche activity was limited to ski cutting producing a few size 1 soft slabs which were 10-15 cm thick and isolated to the most recent storm snow. On Saturday, explosives released two large cornices which did not trigger slabs on the slopes below. On Tuesday, lingering wind slabs are the main concern. Look for these in immediately leeward features on northerly aspects in exposed terrain.  Sluffing from steep sun exposed slopes is also possible during the heat of the afternoon.

15-20 cm of new snow accumulated Sunday overnight. At higher elevations, the widespread mid-February melt-freeze crust is now typically down 30-60 cm. This crust extends as high as 2200 m and is up to 15 cm thick at treeline. The recent storm snow is reported to be bonding well to the crust. In the alpine, wind slabs and cornices were recently being reported on northerly aspects. Below around 1900 m, the crust is at or near the surface of the snowpack and is reported to be supportive to the weight of skier.