Avalanche Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm, light west wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy with possible flurries; 0-3 cm, light west wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1000 m

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate south wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 800 m.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level rising to 1300 m.

Numerous size 2 storm slab avalanches were remotely skier triggered on Saturday. These slabs will become increasingly touchy and hazardous as the new snow stacks up and settles into a cohesive slab sitting on top of a fragile layer of surface hoar.

20-35 cm of recent snow has buried a widespread layer of surface hoar (size 5-20 mm.). This layer exists at all elevations. This same layer of surface hoar has been reported as sitting on a thin sun crust on solar aspects which is a particularly nasty combination. The new snow will likely become increasingly reactive to human triggers as it stacks up and settles into a cohesive slab. The early February rain crust down 70-100 cm. is another prominent layer in the upper snowpack that requires monitoring. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.

• Shooting cracks, whumphs and recent avalanches are strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.
• Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.