Avalanche Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: 5-15 cm of new snow, moderate wind from the west, alpine temperatures drop to -8 C.

FRIDAY: Scattered flurries with up to 5 cm of new snow, moderate wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with 5-10 cm of new snow, moderate wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -4 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with 5-10 cm of new snow, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

On Wednesday numerous size 1-2 wind slab avalanches ran naturally on a variety of aspects and elevations. Several small (size 1) human triggered slabs were triggered on steep north and east facing slopes. A similar pattern of wind slab avalanches has been observed over the past few days.

30-70 cm of snow accumulating through the last week overlies older wind-affected snow at high elevations, or a melt-freeze or rain crust to a variable upper extent of 1700-2400 m in elevation. Moderate to strong winds have redistributed this new snow onto a variety of aspects.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong. Although isolated, there are two deeper weak layers that may persist in some areas. A weak layer of surface hoar buried 90 to 170 cm deep may be found across the north of the region while a facet/crust layer from November may be found near the ground in shallower snowpack areas.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.