Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Several small (size 1) loose wet avalanches were observed on steep sun-exposed slopes on Tuesday afternoon. A few small cornice releases were also observed on northerly alpine terrain. Similar avalanches remain possible during the heat of the day going forward.

If you are headed into the backcountry, please consider sharing a MIN report.

A hard melt-freeze crust is found on sun-exposed slopes to the mountain tops and all aspects up to around 1400 m. The crust will transition to wet snow with daytime warming. Dry, settled snow exists on shaded aspects in the alpine. Isolated wind slabs may linger in steep terrain in the high alpine from northerly wind.

A weak layer of faceted grains and/or surface hoar crystals may be found around 40 to 80 cm deep, particularly on northerly alpine slopes. The weak layer may be close to a hard melt-freeze crust from early April.

Wednesday Night

Clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Thursday

Clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Friday

Clear skies. 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.