Avalanche Forecast

High

• Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

No new avalanches have been reported.

Conditions are very spring-like: While the surface crust remains strong, minimal avalanche activity is expected. Cornices falling and wet sluff potential may rise as the crust melts with daytime warming.

If you head to the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations with the Mountain Information Network.

Rain runnels (see photo) are widespread after the last storm. A thick crust caps the snowpack, with moist snow beneath. This crust may break down during daytime warming, and if well timed, provide some good riding conditions. The potential for wet loose avalanches and cornices falling will also increase with sun and warming.

In many areas, a new layer of surface hoar (see photo) is growing on the surface.
Otherwise, the snowpack is generally well settled, with no current layers of concern. Snowpack depth at treeline ranges from 100 to 250 cm.

Sunday Night
Clear skies. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Temperature inversion with an above-freezing layer from 1400 to 2700 m.

Monday
Sunny. 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Temperature inversion with an above-freezing layer from 1400 to 3500 m.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
• Travel early on sun-exposed slopes before cornices weaken with daytime warming.
• Periods of low danger may be a good time to increase your exposure.