Avalanche Forecast
730 am UPDATE: If you see over 20 cm of new snow, dangerous storms slabs are likely, so step back to simple terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, small wet loose avalanches were reported to size 1.
Riders may be able to trigger slabs in areas with more than 20 cm of new snow, especially deeper areas lee to the wind. While at lower elevations, rain soaked snow may lose cohesion and fail as wet loose avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of snow fell at higher elevations on Tuesday, with more on the way. This snow is on either a crust up high, or moist snow down low. At lower elevations, the new snow may have fallen as rain and made the upper pack wet and loose. There are currently no deeper layers of concern.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm/mm of snow/rain. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Wet, heavy snow at higher elevations may slide easily on the old snow surfaces. Watch for deeper pockets in areas lee to the wind, they're likely easier to trigger too.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Wet
Continued rain at lower elevations is causing the snowpack to lose cohesion and possibly fail as wet loose avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Cornices may break further back on ridgelines than expected, falling on the slope below and possibly triggering a slab.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5