Avalanche Forecast

On Wednesday we received reports of several natural size 1 wind slab avalanches out of steep alpine terrain.There were also reports of a couple rider-triggered size 1 wind slabs, occurring at treeline in west facing terrain.

The outflow winds from the northeast continue to redistribute and build wind slabs. Under this, old wind slabs can be found on all aspects in exposed terrain from previous variable winds. These wind slabs overlie a poorly bonded faceted layer.

In sheltered areas, up to 35 cm of low density snow sits on a decomposing rain crust up to 1650 m.

Two surface hoar layers can be found buried between 50 and 90 cm deep and have become unlikely to trigger.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, increasing cloud overnight, no snow expected, southeast alpine wind up to 35 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy and increasing in the afternoon/ evening, snowfall amounts up to 5 cm through the day increasing overnight, southeast alpine wind 20 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, up to 10 cm of snowfall expected overnight and another 5 cm during the day, south alpine wind up to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy, trace of snow overnight with another 5 cm during the day, south alpine wind up to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.