Avalanche Forecast

No new avalanches have been reported.

Last weekend, several cornice falls were observed and triggered large avalanches on the slopes below. Give cornices a wide birth, and expect large and looming cornices to remain fragile, especially with daytime warming.

A skiff of fresh snow covers a widespread crust that exists up to roughly 1300 m. This crust may soften with daytime warming at lower elevations.

At upper elevations, snow is likely to be wind-affected. Increasing winds may form fresh, reactive pockets of dry snow. Large, fragile cornices can be found on exposed ridgelines and should be given a wide berth. Soft, dry snow may still be found on north-facing alpine slopes.

In some areas, particularly in the Haines Summit, a weak layer of facets or surface hoar is buried 50-80 cm. This layer is unlikely to trigger from the weight of a rider, but concern exists with very large loads like cornice falls.

Check out this MIN for recent conditions near White Pass.

Friday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm. Southwest ridgetop wind gusting to 55 km/h. Treeline temperature low of -8 °C. Freezing level to valley bottom.

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm snow. West-southwest ridgetop wind 40-55 km/h. Treeline temperature high of -3 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday

Flurries, 5-10 cm. Strong southwest ridgetop wind 40-60, with ridgetop gusts upwards of 100 km/h possible. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rising to 1000 m.

Monday

Partly cloudy and clearing. Southwest ridgetop wind decreasing to 30-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.