Avalanche Forecast

Wind and persistent slab avalanches up to size 2.5 have been reported throughout the region over the past couple days. A variety of triggers have been reported including natural, skier, remote and cornice. The largest avalanches released on the early February crust which remains a concern for rider and remote triggering.

Strong winds have formed wind slab on northerly aspects and scoured south facing terrain above treeline. The snow surface will likely become moist at lower elevations.

Two layers of surface hoar and sun crust can be found in the top meter of the snowpack. One from late February and the other from early March.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 80 to 150 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it in many areas.

The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 20 to 40 km/h south alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h south alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of  new snow. 10 to 30 km/h south alpine wind. Freezing level up to 1700 m.

Wednesday

Mostly A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -2°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
• Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers resulting in very large avalanches.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.