Avalanche Forecast

Good

Expect a mix of sun and cloud on Tuesday with temperature inversions dissipating and freezing levels dropping to 1200 m. Slightly more cloud is expected for Wednesday with sunny breaks, and freezing levels in valley bottoms. Thursday is looking mainly cloudy with light snow, but little wind.

Reports from Sunday include a few wet loose sluffs up to Size 2 from steep rocky sun-exposed terrain. A large cornice failure was also reported, but didn't trigger a slab on the slope below. Keep in mind the possibility of glide slabs releasing on smooth rock surfaces - avoid traveling on or under slopes sporting glide cracks.

A variable snow surface generally includes a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, all breaking down to corn snow with daytime warming and sun-exposure. In general, the snowpack is strong, but may weaken during peak warming periods. Cornices may fail with warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine, or lower in glaciated drainages from recent katabatic winds. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Below treeline, the snowpack is generally strong and uniform. Smooth rock slabs may act as a sliding surface for the entire snowpack to glide on in specific locations as temperatures rise.