Avalanche Forecast

Many large (size 2) slab avalanches were triggered naturally over the past few days, and we expect that many more avalanche observations will be reported once the skies clear.

Looking forward, new storm slabs could form as the rain switches to snow.

Rain will switch to snow, building a new storm slab that sits on wet snow. The extensive rain from the past few days likely wettened the upper snowpack and melted the weak layer of surface hoar previously found about 10 to 20 cm deep, though it may linger in isolated areas at high elevations.

The middle and base of the snowpack is expected to be wet, except for perhaps near the mountain tops where dry faceted snow may remain.

Snowpack depths are approximately 50 to 80 cm at treeline, which rapidly tapers with lower elevations.

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 15 to 25 cm of high-elevation snow and rain at lower elevations, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 2100 m dropping to 1700 m by morning.

Thursday

Cloudy with 15 to 25 cm of snow and locally higher amounts possible, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C, freezing level 1500 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of early-morning snow then clearing, west alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, southwest alpine wind 20 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
• Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.