Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

A strong ridge of high pressure builds off the coast allowing a cool, dry NorthWest flow over the region with high diurnal temperature variations. Scattered too few clouds will exist allowing some sunny alpine skies on Saturday with more predominant sunny skies on Sunday. Ridgetop winds will blow steady and  light-moderate from the NorthWest. Treeline temperatures will hover near -3 and freezing levels will rise to 1000 m during the afternoon periods.

Natural avalanche activity loose and slab avalanche activity up to size 2 occurred on Thursday. The natural cycle has slowed down significantly, yet the rider triggered avalanches are ongoing. We have continued to receive reports of rider triggered slab avalanches up to size 2 throughout the region. Most of these cases still involving the persistent weak layers below the surface. They snowpack remains touchy to light loads. Avalanche activity may continue through the forecast period, additional concerns being solar radiation as a natural trigger.

New snow (20-40 cm) adds to the recent storm slab which sits on a surface hoar layer and a sun crust layer that developed at the beginning of February. This layer continues to be reactive. Deeper down (between 40-80 cm) sits an old sun crust and well preserved surface hoar that was buried on January 23rd. This persistent slab has been reactive and easily triggered over the past few days, especially from solar aspects and at treeline and below treeline over steeper convex slopes.Wind slabs persist in the alpine and at treeline. The loading pattern may change due to winds switching from the SouthWest to the NorthWest and form pockets of wind slab in unsuspecting places. At lower elevations a melt-freeze crust has formed due to the recent high freezing levels.The mid-pack is well settled and strong. Watch the duration and intensity of the sun in your local riding area; it may weaken the upper snowpack. Cornices loom and threaten slopes below.