Avalanche Forecast

On Tuesday, a new MIN shows a recent (size 1) human-triggered wind slab. A few naturally triggered loose wet avalanches were also reported from steep south aspects.

With new snow and strong wind forecast, expect the avalanche danger to rise Friday.

The snow surface is highly variable and consists of a thick melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes, surface hoar and/or facets on shaded slopes, and wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain at higher elevations.

In sheltered terrain, the upper snowpack may contain one or more layers of surface hoar buried sometime in January. These layers are not currently a problem but may wake up with the upcoming storm loading.

A layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust buried in early December is 50 to 120 cm deep. An absence of recent avalanche activity suggests it is no longer a significant concern, however, it is still producing occasional, concerning snowpack test results.

Wednesday Night

Clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop southwest wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with isolated flurries 5 cm. 50 gusting to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

New snow 15 to 30 cm. 15 gusting to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

New snow 5 to 10 cm. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.