Avalanche Forecast

Debris from slab avalanches (up to size 2) triggered this past weekend was still visible on steep rocky terrain or below cornices of north aspects. On Sunday, a group of skiers remote-triggered a size 2 avalanche on a wind-loaded convex roll in the Wheaton area.

If you go into the backcountry, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

A widespread surface crust exists up to roughly 1300 m. At higher elevations, snow has been redistributed by winds from various directions. Deeper deposits of wind slabs and large cornices can be found in exposed terrain. Dry powder snow can still be found on north-facing alpine slopes. A widespread layer of surface hoar is developing in sheltered terrain.

In some areas, a weak layer of facets or surface hoar may persist, down approximately 50 to 80 cm from the surface.

Thursday Night

Clear with cloudy periods. 10 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday

Sunny with cloudy periods. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Saturday

Sunny with cloudy periods. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny periods. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.