Avalanche Forecast

A size 2 slab avalanche was reported from the Tom's Lake area on Sunday. Check out the MIN report here. The avalanche appears to have been a wind slab that failed on weak, faceted snow in the mid or lower snowpack. It occurred on a southwest aspect and is a good reminder that even old wind loaded pockets in otherwise thin, rocky snowpack areas should be treated with caution.

Keep posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network!

Extreme northwest to southwest wind will likely have stripped all loose snow from exposed areas and deposited it far down slope.

The snowpack in this region is expected to be shallow with the middle and base made up of weak, sugary facet crystals. There is likely a crust at the base of the snowpack.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries. 40 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, easing. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level exceeding 0 °C as freezing levels peak at 2000 m in late afternoon.

Thursday

Cloudy with scattered flurries and a trace of new snow. 30 - 70 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature falling from 0 °C to -5 °C over the day as freezing level returns to valley bottom.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with lingering flurries and up to 5 cm, including overnight amounts. 10 - 20 km/h north ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature falling to -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
• Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
• Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.