Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Numerous natural wind slabs (size 1.5) were reported from north alpine lee and cross-loaded features. Skier's traffic produced wind slab avalanches (size 1.5), with good propagation along ridge crests at treeline.

On Monday, fast-running sluffs were easily triggered by riders on steep northerly slopes, producing small loose dry avalanches throughout the region.

Thanks for sharing your observations via the MIN if you are going out into the backcountry.

10 to 20 cm of recent snow exists, with deeper deposits of wind-transported snow in lee terrain. Southerly slopes have been sun-affected and the surface snow is moist and/or heavy snow. This sits over 120 to 175 cm of settling storm snow from the past week.

Under it, a weak layer formed in early March that consists of a crust on all aspects except high north-facing slopes and facets or surface hoar in some areas. Weak layers formed in mid-February and late January are now buried 150 to 250 cm deep.

Below this, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of new snow. 40 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of new snow. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
• Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
• Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.