Avalanche Forecast

High

Numerous naturally triggered wet and dry loose avalanches up to size 2 were reported on sunny aspects in the alpine on Friday.

If you go into the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Recent north wind has reverse-loaded some slopes. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects in specific locations below alpine ridgetops.

Strong solar radiation has formed a surface crust on sunny aspects. 20 to 40 cm of recent snow (above 1600 m) overlies a crust everywhere except north facing alpine slopes where the recent snow sits on older dry snow.

The facet/crust layer that produced large avalanches during early March is down 80 to 150 cm. It is currently considered to be dormant in most locations.

Many areas below treeline are either snow free or have very thin snow coverage. Expect difficult travel at lower elevations.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 3 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7° C. Freezing level 800 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 3 cm snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.