Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

• We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.
• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.

With the recent wind and snow at upper elevations, we expect human-triggering slab avalanches in specific areas remains possible.

Observations are still limited, so be sure to post yours to the MIN if you get out!

Recent snow and southwesterly winds have formed wind slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations. Rain has fallen up to around 1200 m.

In the alpine, wind slabs overlie a hard crust which extends as high as 2300 m. Large surface hoar can be found on this crust at treeline and below. Recent rain may have neutralized the surface hoar problem at lower elevations.

A layer of facets or surface hoar is buried around 50 to 100 cm deep, for the most part locked under the supportive crust.

The mid and lower snowpack have no layers of concern. Snowpack depths are around 150-200 cm at treeline.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m dropping to 1100 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

Monday

Cloudy. 0 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.

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.
• Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.