Avalanche Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with clear periods, 3 cm new snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, treeline temperature -6 C, freezing level at 900 m.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, up to 4 cm new snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, treeline temperature -4 C, freezing level at 1400 m.

MONDAY: Cloudy, 10-15 cm new snow, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 C, freezing level at 1700 m.

TUESDAY: Cloudy, 20-25 cm new snow, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level at 1500 m.

Several skier and explosives triggered slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Saturday as well as a few natural cornice failures. A few small natural slab avalanches were observed on Saturday (see this MIN report). Several slab avalanches up to size 2 released naturally and were triggered by explosives and skiers on Thursday and Friday. Some avalanches were larger than expected (see this valuable MIN post). Other parties reported signs of instability as whumpfing and shooting cracks. Loose dry avalanches (sluffs) in steep alpine and treeline features were observed in the last few days. 

20-30 cm recent snow buried surface hoar and other old surfaces. In the alpine, the new snow sits on top of layers of hard wind slab, scoured areas, sastrugi and isolated pockets of soft snow. A hard crust underneath the new snow is found up to 1800 m.    

A solid mid-pack sits above a deeply buried crust and facet layers near the bottom of the snowpack (150-200 cm deep), which are currently unreactive. 

• Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.