Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Since the weekend, natural, skier and explosive-triggered avalanches continue to be reported around the region. Most are size 1 to 2, with some explosive results up to 2.5. Slabs are 20 to 60 cm deep, predominantly in north to east alpine terrain, and in many cases, failing on weak surface hoar crystals.

Although conditions are improving, it remains possible that riders could trigger similar avalanches going forward.

Around 30 to 50 cm of snow accumulated last weekend and it has remained relatively cool and cloudy since then. The snow may remain soft without slab properties in some locations, but as the snow settles it may form a slab. This is particularly problematic where the snow may rest on weak surface hoar crystals in openings below treeline, at treeline elevations, and at lower alpine elevations. Otherwise, it rests on a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and on all aspects at low elevations.

In exposed alpine terrain, westerly wind may have formed small wind slabs in lee terrain features.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong without any deeper concerns at this time.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. <15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
• Cautiously approach steep slopes that are open or sparsely treed.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
• Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.