Avalanche Forecast

On Tuesday, a natural wind slab avalanche (size 1.5) was reported from a steep northeast slope at 2000 m.

With new snow and strong wind forecast, natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely on Friday.

Up to 25 cm of snow is forecast by Friday afternoon and will likely have a poor bond to the old snow surfaces. These consist of faceted snow, surface hoar in shaded wind-sheltered areas and a hard melt-freeze crust found on the snow surface on sunny slopes. At high elevations, the new snow buries the widespread wind effect found in wind-exposed terrain.

The mid and lower snowpack is strong.

Thursday Night

Cloudy with snow up to 10 cm. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Friday

Cloudy with snow 10 to 25 cm. 15 gusting to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Saturday

New snow 5 to 10 cm. 15 gusting to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
• Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.