Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Tuesday night: Overcast, scattered flurries with 5-10 cm of accumulation, strong southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -8 C and freezing dropping below 300 m.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with trace accumulations, moderate west wind, treeline temperatures around -3 C and freezing level rising to 800 m and dropping to valley bottom overnight.

Thursday: Overcast, flurries arriving late in the day, increasing southwest wind, treeline temperatures rising to -2 C, freezing level rising to 700 m and dropping below 500 m overnight.

Friday: Overcast, 15-25 cm of snow, strong southwest wind, treeline temperatures -3 C, freezing level rising to 700 m and dropping to valley bottom overnight. 

In the aftermath of the weekend storm, there have been reports of several natural and explosive-triggered avalanches (size 1.5-2) in the recent snow triggered by incremental loading, warming, and wind-loading. Below 600 m, observations of loose wet avalanches continue and include one instance of a large (size 2) wet slab that failed to the ground from a steep, shallow feature. 

Strong sun over the weekend initiated numerous natural loose wet avalanches on steep, sunny slopes. Large natural and explosive triggered glide slab avalanche activity has been ongoing for the past few weeks. Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.

Ongoing flurries and strong southwest winds will continue to build wind slabs in lee features in exposed areas, especially where the wind is redistributing dry snow. Expect to find wet flurries and rain below 1000 m. 

Over the past week, 40-60 cm of snow has fallen at upper elevations. While this snow is well settled, wind slabs may linger on steep open slopes. Sun crusts may be found on sun-exposed slopes. Cornices are large, looming, and capable of triggering large avalanches when they fail. Previous weak layers are now deeply buried and have not resulted in any recent avalanches.

At lower elevations, the recent snow has mixed with rain, forming a hard crust in the freezing temperatures overnight. 

• Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
• Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.