Avalanche Forecast

A widespread avalanche cycle to size 3.5 occurred over the last week, with continued snowfall. Avalanches failed within the storm snow, and on buried weak layers - creating large avalanches running from alpine start zones into below treeline terrain.

Continued loading from snow, wind and rain is expected to produce further avalanche cycles of this nature.

Storm totals continue to rise! Another 10-40 cm of new snow adds to the 50-150 cm of rapidly settling snow from the last week. In some areas, a crust can be found buried 20-45 cm deep.

Below all of this storm snow, sits a weak layer of facets - more common in wind-exposed terrain, or surface hoar - most likely in sheltered treeline features.

A hard crust from mid November sits 130-160 cm deep, with faceted snow above. This layer has recently produced large avalanches due to increased loading.

Sunday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Monday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
• Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
• Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.