Avalanche Forecast

Numerous large to very large (size 2 to 3) avalanches have been naturally and human triggered over the last week, failing on the weak layers described in the Snowpack Summary, 70 to 200 cm deep. Activity was mostly reported between 1800 m and 2500 m elevation and on all aspects. Check out this recent MIN.

These avalanches continue to indicate that these buried weak layers remain reactive, and are capable of producing large consequential avalanches. Many of these human-triggered avalanches were a surprise to the individuals triggering them.

Small wind slabs have also been triggered by riders, which have the potential of stepping down to the deeper weak layers.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

30 to 50 cm of soft snow is on the snow surface in areas sheltered from the wind. Wind slabs are forming in lee terrain features from strong southerly wind in wind-exposed terrain. New wind slabs may sit over a layer of surface hoar and/or crust.

The upper snowpack is generally settled and well-bonded, however buried weak layers continue to be a concern, with large and surprising (remote or accidental triggered) avalanche activity reported throughout the last week.

A weak layer of crust, facets and/or surface hoar buried just before Christmas is buried 40 to 70 cm deep. The lower snowpack is generally weak and facetted with a weak layer of large facets from mid-November found near the bottom.

Snowpack depths are roughly 150 to 200 cm at treeline. This year's snowpack is weaker than usual, as described in our Forecasters' blog.

Thursday Night

Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Alpine high of -5 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level around 900 m. Alpine high of -6 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm. Moderate southerly wind. Alpine high of -6 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm. Moderate southerly wind. Alpine high of -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
• Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.