Avalanche Forecast

Few to no avalanche reports throughout our region. Monday's warm temperatures are expected to change this. Snow that has fallen this past weekend will likely form into a slab that may either slide from the further load of snow or/and rain or be primed for human triggering. There is also a possibility that new snow and now warming temperatures are enough to "wake up" buried weak layers causing large avalanches.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Warming temperatures have begun to affect the recent top layer of the snowpack. A consolidated slab now sits or has enveloped the previous unconsolidated weekend snowfall which totaled between 35 and 55 cm. Wind slabs have developed in the alpine and at treeline from moderate to strong southeast and southwest winds.

New snow may not bond well to previous surfaces that include small surface hoar crystals, sugary faceted grains, and hard wind-packed snow. A buried weak layer from November lies 60 to 110 cm below the surface and avalanches may slide on this layer if heavier loads are introduced by smaller avalanches running on top of them or heavy wet snow or rain.

The snowpack is still fairly thin and faceted, with roughly 130 cm at treeline.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy, trace accumulation with chance of rain, 20 km/h southwest wind gusting to 65, freezing level 1500 m and falling.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, 7 to 13 cm accumulation in the southern areas and trace in the northern, 15 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperatures around -8 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with the chance of sun, trace accumulation, 25 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures -6 to -10 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, 10 to 25 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -8 to -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers resulting in very large avalanches.
• Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
• Extra caution for areas experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.