Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number and quality of field observations

A short intense pulse of moisture brought 5 to 15cm of snow Friday night.  Gradual clearing should give mostly clear skies on during the day on Sunday. On Monday afternoon night the region may see light flurries, with clearing on Tuesday and through the rest of the week.. Ridgetop winds are forecast to be light to moderate from the southwest with freezing levels rising during the day and falling to valley bottoms at night.

Avalanche observations for the region have been extremely limited, mostly due to stormy weather. New snow and wind on Friday night will likely promote a round of wind slab activity in high elevation lee terrain.

New snow and wind on Friday night will have formed new wind slabs in lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Up to 15cm of precipitation fell Friday night.  In addition, the stormy weather has encouraged new cornice growth. These cornices may rbe huge and unsupported. About 30-50cm below the surface you may find a melt freeze crust which formed during the 2nd week of February. At the same interface, you may also find surface hoar which most likely exists on high, north facing terrain. Recent rain and warm temperatures at lower elevations have likely flushed out this weakness in most areas; however, continued reactivity may exist in high elevation terrain above the recent rain line. West of the divide, a layer of buried surface hoar can be found between 70 and 90cm below the surface. Recent reports suggest this layer has become less of a concern.