Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Observations in the region have been limited but the North Rockies field team observed rider triggerable wind slabs in Pine Pass on Friday. Check out the MIN.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Up to 30 cm of new snow with southerly winds has formed wind slabs on lee features at upper elevations. The new snow overlies a crust up to 1400 m on all aspects, but it may sit over a weak layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas.

Two additional layers of surface hoar can be found in the top meter of the snowpack at treeline. These layers are generally no longer a concern, the exception being shallow rocky areas at upper treeline.

The current snowpack has considerable variation in structure and depths across the region and is shallow for this time of year.

Sunday night

Increasing cloud in the evening or overnight. Southwest alpine wind increasing to 10 to 20 km/h.

Monday

Becoming mainly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected, flurries increasing overnight. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -10°C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature falling to -14°C, cooling further overnight.

Wednesday

Clearing. Northwest alpine wind 5-10 km/h. Treeline temperature -20°C to -25°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.