Avalanche Forecast

An onshore flow will bring mostly cloudy skies, new snow, and moderate to strong mountain top wind. Tuesday’s easterly wind will switch back to the southwest. 

Wednesday: New snow 5-10 cm. Alpine temperatures -12 C to -15 C and ridgetop wind moderate from the southwest.

Thursday: Light snow in the morning 3-5 cm. Alpine temperatures -15 C. Ridgetop wind generally light from the southwest. 

Friday: Trace of new snow. Alpine temperature dipping to – 22 C. Ridgetop wind light from the northeast switching to the southeast later in the day.

No recent reports of avalanche activity on Tuesday. 

Over the weekend, large natural avalanches (size 2 and 2.5) were on alpine lee features. A MIN report also noted a slab release size 2 above Bryant Lake.

Lots of whumpfing and cracking have been notified across the region and are most likely to be associated with early-season shallow snowpack and wind-affected snow.

Up to 5 cm of new snow fell overnight Monday. On most aspects above the treeline, wind-affected snow exists showing signs of cracking, whumfing, and cross-loading. Wind slabs are present and potentially reactive to human triggers. 

Little information is available about a weak layer of facets over a crust reported lower in the snowpack. Snow depths are approximately 80 cm at treeline and 100-120 in the alpine.

• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
• Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
• Be especially cautious near rock outcroppings, on steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.