Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - A small change in the upper snowpack could dramatically change avalanche conditions.

MONDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, moderate northwest wind, alpine temperatures drop to -12 C.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy in the morning and sunny in the afternoon, light northwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

THURSDAY: Sunny, moderate south wind, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

Numerous small (size 1-1.5) slab avalanches were triggered by riders on Sunday. They were typically 20-30 cm thick on a wide range of aspects and elevations, with some thicker avalanches on east-facing slopes that were wind loaded. Evidence of natural wind slab avalanches has been on the decline, with a few size 2 slabs reported on east and southeast aspects (some of which triggered by cornice falls). Low density snow remained reactive to sluffing in steep terrain and the sun triggered some small loose avalanches on south-facing slopes. Looking forward slab avalanches will remain possible to trigger, especially on sun-exposed and wind loaded slopes.

30-60 cm of recent snow is beginning to settle and there is some uncertainty about whether it will gain or loose strength in the coming days. There have been a few reports of this snow showing reactivity in isolated sheltered terrain features such as openings at and below treeline (where it sits above small surface hoar or sun crusts). This will unlikely develop into a persistent problem, but for the next few days storm slabs could remain reactive on some steep terrain features. The lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.

• Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.
• Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.