Avalanche Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT - Numbing cold with patchy cloud / alpine low temperature a piercing -36 / light northwest wind

WEDNESDAY - Darn cold and partly cloudy / light northeast wind / alpine high temperature near -24 

THURSDAY - Extremely cold with a mix of sun and cloud / light to moderate northeast wind / alpine high temperature frigidly cold near -28

FRIDAY - Still cold, but mostly sunny / light to moderate northeast wind / alpine high temperature a balmy -20

Dry loose avalanches were observed over the weekend with a few triggering small (size 1) slab avalanches.

On Friday there was a report of a size 2 explosives triggered wind slab avalanche, as well as a few size 1 human triggered dry loose avalanches. There was also a report of several natural avalanches, potentially up to size 3, a MIN report outlining these can be found here.

Surface faceting and surface hoar growth is occurring with clear nights and frigid temperatures. Variable winds have redistributed loose snow developing slabs in lee features.

20-50 cm loose snow and soft slab overlies a handful of surfaces: wind affected snow at upper elevations and exposed terrain, softer snow in sheltered areas, and a crust on steep, solar slopes and below 1600-1900 m. 

A solid mid-pack sits above deeply buried decomposing crust and facet layers near the bottom of the snowpack (80-150 cm deep). Though unreactive under the current conditions, steep rocky slopes and shallow snowpacks should still be approached with caution.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
• Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.