Avalanche Forecast
Continually assess conditions as you move through terrain
Cold temperatures are softening the upper snowpack, avalanches are most likely where the snowpack feels “slabby”
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, a human-triggered, size 1, wind slab avalanche was reported on an open cross-loaded feature at treeline.
Numerous dry loose avalanches were reported. Naturals up to size 1, on steep solar aspects and human triggered, up to size 1.5, on steep polar aspects.
On Wednesday, a size 2.5 remotely triggered persistent slab avalanche was reported. This avalanche was on a northwest aspect in the alpine and ran on the surface hoar from late January.
Snowpack Summary
Previous strong to extreme northeast outflow wind has scoured exposed terrain at all elevations. In sheltered terrain 10 to 40 cm of faceted snow overlies a surface hoar layer from late January.
Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 30 to 60 cm deep.
A layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. This layer is generally not a concern in this region.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Clear. 10 to 25 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 15 to 25 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Tuesday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.
Wednesday
Sunny. 10 to 15 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
- Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Two surface hoar layers from January can be found in the upper snowpack in sheltered terrain. These layers have produced large rider triggered avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Strong outflow (northeast) wind has formed wind slabs on south and west aspects at all elevations. Be especially cautious near ridge crests and rollovers.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2