South Columbia

This snowpack is generally strong, but wind slabs and loose snow may be unstable in steep alpine terrain.

High

• We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Avalanche activity continues to slow. Weekend reports included small (size 1) wind slab and cornice avalanches, and one large (size 2.5) skier-triggered slab north of Golden. By Monday, activity was primarily just small dry loose avalanches in steep terrain.

Shaded slopes may have up to 20 cm of low-density powder, while southerly aspects likely have a sun crust. Wind slabs can be found in the immediately lee of features.

Convective flurries over the past two weeks have deposited highly variable amounts of snow above the atmospheric river crust. Depending on drainage and elevation, you may find 30 to 80 cm above this crust, which extends to at least 2300 m.

Older weak layers are unreactive and buried at least 150 cm deep.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.