Avalanche Forecast

On Thursday, explosive control triggered several wind slab avalanches (size 1.5 to 2), some of which stepped down to the early March crust. These avalanches, up to 1.5 meters deep, occurred in very steep, north-facing terrain.

On Monday, a large slab avalanche (size 2.5)was triggered by a giant cornice fall on a north alpine slope on Mount Cain. It was triggered by a person stepping very close to the cornice.

Thanks for sharing your observations via the MIN.

Friday's 10 to 30 cm of new snow brings recent storm snow totals to 60 to 90 cm. Moderate southwest winds have redistributed storm snow into deeper deposits on north and east aspects. On solar aspects and lower elevations a crust will likely be found beneath Friday's new snow.

A robust crust, formed in early March, can be found in the mid-pack. The snow above is well bonded to this crust.

Below this, the snowpack is well consolidated and strong.

Friday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Flurries intensify overnight, 5 to 20 cm of snow.

Sunday

Cloudy with precipitation switching from snow to rain, 5 to 30 mm of rain. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Precipitation continues overnight, 10 to 30 mm of rain.

Monday

Cloudy. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
• Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
• Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.