Avalanche Forecast

Small wet loose avalanches with a few larger ones (up to size 2) have been observed across the region over the past few days.

On Thursday, there was a large natural cornice failure on a northwest aspect in the alpine.

Avalanches are unlikely when a thick surface crust is present. Loose wet avalanches continue to be possible during the warmest parts of the day as the surface crust softens and melts.

The eastern part of the region received up to 10 cm of snow overnight Saturday. A thick, hard surface crust exists in most areas, which will likely soften and become moist or wet with daytime warming. The thicker and harder the crust, the less likely avalanches are. Northerly upper-elevation slopes that remained shady may still have soft dry surface snow.Weak layers from earlier in the winter are present in the mid and lower snowpack, but there has been no recent avalanche activity on them. They are now considered dormant and unlikely to trigger.The snowpack is rapidly melting out at lower elevations.

Sunday Night

Clear. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 2000 m, then dropping to valley bottom.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
• Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.