Avalanche Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Snow; 5-10 cm, strong southwest winds, alpine low 0 C, freezing level 1500 m.

SUNDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm, moderate southwest winds, alpine high 3 C, freezing level 1700 m.

MONDAY: Snow; 10-15 cm, strong southwest winds, alpine high 1 C, freezing level 1500 m.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light west winds, alpine high 0 C, freezing level 1300 m.

There are currently very few professional operations reporting in this region and the data stream is very limited.

Avalanche activity is expected to increase as new snow amounts increase.

NOTE:We are receiving very limited professional snowpack observations in this region. The snowpack summary below is based on our most recent observations and weather data.

The recent snow sits on a variety of snow surfaces, consisting of sun crusts, hard wind-affected snow, and soft faceted snow. There have also been reports of surface hoar forming on sheltered, shady slopes. See this MIN for a helpful illustration from nearby Glacier National Park. It will be important to track the depth, cohesiveness, and bond of the new snow to these various old snow surfaces across aspects and elevations where you're travelling.

Cornices are large and looming. Two layers of buried surface hoar can be found buried 20-40 cm deep (March 10) and 60-120 cm deep (February 22). Though there is a low likelihood of triggering an avalanche on these layers, the consequences of doing so would be high. 

• Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
• Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
• Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.