Avalanche Forecast

TUESDAY Night: Isolated flurries, 5 cm / Moderate to light southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -5 / Freezing level 1100 m

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -3 / Freezing level 1000 m

THURSDAY: Cloudy / Light southeast ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -4 / Freezing level 800 m

FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks / Light southeast ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -6 / Freezing level 700 m

On Tuesday, storm slab avalanches to size 2 were triggered by explosives, evidence of a natural avalanche cycle to size 2 was also reported.

On Monday afternoon, small size 1 loose and low density slab avalanches failed naturally and with skier traffic as snow began to accumulate and load ridgetops.

Have you been out and about in the mountains? If so please submit to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). It doesn't have to be technical it can be as simple as a photo. Photos are especially helpful! Sending out a big thank you to the already submitted MIN's this season. Thanks everyone!

Overnight Monday-Tuesday, rain and warm temperatures produced a moist snowpack up to 2000 m before freezing levels began falling. By Tuesday morning, 20-60 cm new snow accumulated above 1800m and the snow/rain line.

At upper (drier) elevations, layers of wet and dry storm snow are found due to rain reaching mountain tops during the storm. The new snow covers a melt-freeze crust and old wind slabs. A saturated snowpack is found at lower elevations, the snowpack will cool and freeze with falling temperatures.

Snowpack depths change rapidly elevation and exposure to sun and wind, average snowpack depths vary 60-100 cm around treeline to over 150 cm in the alpine.

The mid to lower snowpack contains a series of crusts, the most notable of which is also the deepest, sitting just above the ground at elevations above 1500 m. This crust may have a thin overlying layer of weak faceted grains and/or surface hoar crystals, especially in sheltered areas around treeline. Loading and observations from this storm may provide insight on if these layers will be a concern going forward. 

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Caution around convexities or sharp changes in terrain.