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, we expect human-triggered slab avalanches in specific areas remain possible. Natural avalanches are unlikely at this time.

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

Recent snow and southwesterly winds have formed small 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 that extends up to 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.

Saturday Night

Cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 0 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 4 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• 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.
• Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.