Avalanche Forecast

There have been few reports from our region but it is expected that there is a natural avalanche cycle occurring or has already occurred with these warm temperatures. There have been numerous reports to our immediate east of natural and human-triggered avalanches. Many of these human-triggered avalanches were a surprise to the individuals triggering them.

Please consider submitting a MIN report if you head into the backcountry.

Snow and rain continue to fall on a snowpack already affected by our warming trend. Suspect this to have promoted slab properties in 20 to 35 cm of the top layer of the snowpack. At higher elevations, where it is colder, southeast to southwest winds has produced fresh wind slabs. Recent snow may not have bonded well to previous surfaces, varying in form from sugary faceted grains and small surface hoar crystals.

The majority of the snowpack is faceted, with roughly 120 cm found at treeline and less below treeline.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy, up to 8 cm accumulation with most of it falling in the south and the possibility of rain at lower elevations, 25 to 30 km/h southwest wind, freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy, up to 4 cm accumulation, 25 to 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -5 °C, and freezing level between 1300 and 700 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with a chance of sunny periods, 2 cm accumulation, 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -8 to -2 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with sunny periods. up to 5 cm accumulation, 30 km/h south wind, temperatures treeline temperatures -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.