Avalanche Forecast

Tuesday Night: 10-15 cm of new snow with strong southwest winds at ridgetop. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Wednesday: Another 10 cm of snow with strong southwest wind at ridgetop. Alpine temperatures near -4. Freezing levels 800 m.

Thursday/ Friday: More snow 10-15 cm on Thursday and up to 20 cm on Friday with strong southwest wind at ridgetop. Average alpine temperature near -5 and freezing levels 1200 m. 

Evidence of several wind slabs and natural cornice failures up to size 1.5 in the past 24 hours. No new avalanche observations by Tuesday afternoon. 

With new snow and wind forecast, storm slabs and wind slabs will build through the day and likely be reactive. 

Forecast new snow and wind will build fresh storm slabs at upper elevations adding to the 20-30 cm that currently overlies a variety of surfaces that formed during the end of January. This interface is made up of a crust, facets, and surface hoar. The crust can be found at or below treeline as well as on south-facing terrain in the alpine. In isolated sheltered terrain at treeline surface hoar has formed along with facets above this crust. Where a crust did not form facets will likely be found.

The January 19th surface hoar layer can still be found down 30 to 50 at treeline and above in sheltered terrain. Recent reports indicate that it is becoming less of a concern. 

• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
• Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.