Avalanche Forecast

Touchy storm slab conditions were reported in the Pine Pass area on Friday.

With ongoing wind and snow, we anticipate natural wind and storm slab avalanche activity in the coming days, particularly in areas that receive 20 cm or more of new snow.

If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN post.

New snow continues to accumulate across most areas, accompanied by strong southwest alpine winds. This has created deep deposits of new snow and fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain.

New snow has buried older wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain, or surface hoar, and a faceted upper snowpack in sheltered areas. Layers formed during dry conditions in January are buried approximately 30 to 100 cm below the surface. These consist of surface hoar, faceted grains, and/or a hard crust, and could become a source of instability with the addition of the new snow and warming temperatures.

The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.

Friday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow (most snow occurring overnight, Saturday to Sunday). 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °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.
• Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
• Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.