Avalanche Forecast

A series of upper disturbances are expected as the arctic front pushes West of the Divide bringing localized periods of snow to the region. It's hard to pin-point snowfall amounts and they may be heavier than what the models suggest.

Overnight Saturday: Light snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop wind mostly light with strong gusts from the northwest. Alpine temperatures near -10.

Saturday: Snow amounts 10-20 cm. Ridgetop wind moderate from the East. Alpine temperatures -10.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind light from the East and alpine temperatures dipping to -20. 

Monday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind light from the East and temperatures -25. 

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On Friday, numerous explosive controlled loose-dry and storm avalanches were triggered up to size 1.5. On Thursday several MIN reports suggested that things are still spicy out there and that the persistent slab problem continues to be reactive. Check this out MIN Report.

On Wednesday, numerous natural storm slab avalanches were reported up to size 2, and several more slabs were triggered by explosives up to size 1.5. Loose-dry avalanches were seen up to size 1. 

The persistent slab proved to be reactive on Wednesday with skier and rider remote triggers and naturals up to size 2. Check out the awesome MIN posts here: MIN report, MIN report, MIN report. Sending a big shout out of appreciation to everyone posting these MIN's and sharing this pertinent information.

As natural avalanche activity tapers, wind and persistent slabs are still be primed for triggering. These will likely propgate far and can catch you by surprise even in low angle terrain. 

Up to 80 cm of recent snow has formed a cohesive and reactive slab that sits above a weak interface of surface hoar and surface facets (weak sugar or feather-like snow crystals) and a crust that was buried in late January. This slab of recent snow sits on top of a plethora of old snow surfaces comprising of hard wind slab, scoured areas, sastrugi, and isolated pockets of soft snow. Below 1800 m a hard melt-freeze crust underneath the new snow.  

A solid mid-pack sits above a deeply buried crust and facet layers near the bottom of the snowpack (150-200 cm deep), which are currently unreactive. 

• Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
• Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.