Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Poor visibility restricted field observations on Wednesday and Thursday, but natural avalanche activity has likely occurred from the ongoing storm.

Observations from low elevations reported natural sluffing and soft slabs even on low-angle slopes and creek banks.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please share any observations with the Mountain Information Network.

The latest storm added 20 to 40 cm of additional new snow to the snowpack. This overlies recent storm snow, wind-affected surfaces in open terrain at upper elevations and a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.

Strong to extreme westerly wind redistributed this new snow, farther downslope than normal, forming reactive slabs down to treeline.

In sheltered terrain, 60 to 80 cm of snow sits on a hard melt-freeze crust from early February. Below this, a layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust from late January is buried around 120 cm. Triggering either of these layers is considered unlikely at this time.

The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated with no layers of concern.

Thursday Night

Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Friday

Cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
• Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.