Avalanche Forecast

High

The region saw numerous avalanche activity on Monday-Tuesday. Very large natural persistent slabs and numerous human-triggered continue to be reported (size 2 to 3.5). Several have been remotely triggered from low-angle terrain onto adjacent slopes. Most were reported from treeline and above, but all aspects showed reactivity.

With this incoming storm, we expect a widespread avalanche cycle on slopes that did not avalanche yet.

40 to 80 cm of settled storm snow has formed reactive slabs across the region. This snow has also been redistributed by southerly winds at upper elevations. Several persistent weak layers are now buried between 80 and 160 cm deep, including hard crusts with overlying weak facets and surface hoar. These weak layers have been responsible for continued avalanche activities over the last week.

At lower elevations, the upper snowpack may be moist or crusty.

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected and rain at lower elevations. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around 0 °C. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of new snow expected. 60 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around +3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Friday

Cloudy with no precipitation. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around +5 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds with no precipitation. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around +8 °C. Freezing level around 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
• Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches to run full path or even longer.
• Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.