Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

• We are uncertain about alpine conditions due to limited field observations.
• We are uncertain due to a highly variable snowpack.

Reports from Monday suggest that the recent storm snow was reactive to skier traffic, either as loose dry avalanches or soft storm slabs. Producing avalanches up to size 2.

One natural wind slab avalanche, along with a few explosive-triggered avalanches, was reported on Sunday, up to size 3, in steep terrain near ridge crests.

With continued snow and wind, we anticipate both natural and rider-triggered avalanches to remain likely.

Variable amounts of snow continue to accumulate across the region. At higher elevations and exposed terrain, winds are redistributing the new snow into deeper deposits on leeward and cross-loaded slopes.

A crust formed in February exists at variable depths, generally 50 to 120 cm below the surface. In isolated, wind-sheltered areas, weak surface hoar may be present atop this crust.

The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated with no significant layers of concern.

Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.