Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable

Overnight and Saturday: Mostly clear and cold overnight with strong Northeast winds and very strong outflow winds. Freezing level at valley bottoms and alpine temperatures near -17 overnight. Continued cold and clear with strong Northeast winds and very strong outflow winds.Sunday: Cloudy and cold with a chance of flurries or light snow. Alpine temperatures around -20 combined with strong Northeast winds.Monday: Cloudy and cold in the morning with a chance of sun in the afternoon. Alpine temperatures near -25 with strong Northerly winds.

Explosives control resulted in avalanches up to size 2.5 that released on the February weak layer during the warm weather on Thursday. No new reports of avalanche activity since the cold arctic air moved in overnight. North aspects in the alpine continue to be the most likely slopes for triggering the February weak layer where it may be well preserved and allow for long fracture propagations resulting in very large avalanches.

Strong solar radiation and warm temperatures have resulted in moist surface snow on all but shaded North aspects. Moist or wet loose snow has been releasing naturally from steep Southerly aspects. The early February weak layer continues to give moderate to hard sudden planar shears in snow profile tests down 50-100 cm in the North and down 100-150 cm in the South. No recent reports of whumpfing or remote triggering on this weak layer of crusts and facets. Forecast strong Northeast outflow winds may continue to develop wind slabs in areas that still have snow available for transport. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them.