Avalanche Forecast

High -

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries / up to 5 cm snow accumulation / moderate to light northwest wind / freezing level 1000 mTHURSDAY: Mainly cloudy / light north wind / alpine high temperature -5 C / freezing level 1700 mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light northeast wind / alpine high temperature -4 C / freezing level 1800 mSATURDAY: Cloudy / 5-15 cm snow accumulation / moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature -5 C / freezing level 1700 m

On Tuesday, several natural and human triggered storm/wind slab avalanches 10-50 cm deep and up to size 2.5 were observed on north and east aspects in the alpine. A size 1.5 explosive triggered cornice did not trigger an avalanche on the northeast facing slope below. Several natural loose wet and wet slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported from southeast, south, west and northwest facing slopes (see a MIN report from Glacier National Park here). On Monday, several natural and human triggered loose wet avalanches up to size 2 were observed on sun exposed slopes in the alpine. There were also reports of several natural, human and explosive triggered storm slab avalanches and wind slabs in immediate lee features up to size 2 in the alpine on west, north and east aspects.

15-35 cm of recent storm snow that fell over the weekend sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). On northern aspects the new snow is slowly bonding and humans might still trigger wind slab avalanches.  Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.