Avalanche Forecast

A natural cycle from the storm was observed Tuesday and Wednesday with numerous windslab avalanches to size 1.5. Though natural avalanches have tapered off, wind slabs could still be reactive to human triggering.

There are limited reports from this region. If you head into the backcountry this weekend please submit a MIN report!

20 - 40 cm of storm snow and strong southwest winds have formed wind slabs above 1900 meters. Sheltered areas continue to hold on to unconsolidated snow that is faceting with cold temperatures.

Storm snow sits on a variety of wind-affected surfaces. Notably, a stubborn windslab on southeast aspects overlies a crust found 70 cm deep up to 2200 meters. Faceting has been observed between the windslab and the crust. Professionals are concerned about the possibility of windslabs fractureing at this deeper interface.

The snowpack sits around 70 to 120 cm at treeline to 180 cm in the alpine. Much of the below treeline vegetation band is below the threshold for avalanches.

Friday Night

Cloudy with isolated precip, 2 - 5 cm, in the southern part of the region. Light easterly winds. Alpine temp -10 and freezing levels remaining at valley bottom.

Saturday

Few clouds clearing in the afternoon. Light northeast winds. Alpine temperatures rise to -3 as an inversion comes in late afternoon. Freezing levels rise to 600m.

Few clouds and light easterly ridge winds. Alpine temperatures -1 with the inversion from 1500 - 2000 meters. Clear skies with a light northeast ridge wind. Freezing levels 800 m.

Few clouds increasing in the afternoon. Light northerly ridge winds. Alpine temperatures are high -2 and low -7. Freezing levels stay at valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.