Avalanche Forecast

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

MONDAY: Increasing clouds with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1500 m.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1500 m.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1800 m.

No new avalanches were observed on Sunday. On Saturday, a natural cornice fall was reported on a northeast aspect in alpine terrain. Otherwise, small loose wet avalanches were observed out of very steep, rocky terrain.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.

10 to 20 cm of consolidated snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust on shaded slopes at higher elevations. A surface crust is found on sun-exposed slopes up high and everywhere below treeline. Small pockets of old wind slabs may exist at high elevations from strong northeast wind. Always keep in mind that cornices are large and fragile at this time of year.

Around 100 to 200 cm deep, faceted grains persist around a hard melt-freeze crust from early December. There's uncertainty on if and when this layer will wake up, but it could during the next warm-up.

Check out these pointers if you are considering big objectives.

• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.