Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Over the weekend, avalanche activity up to size 3 was reported. On Monday, small loose wet avalanches occurred on low elevation or steep south facing slopes. Naturally triggered avalanches (including a cornice fall triggered slab) were reported to size 2.

Natural avalanche activity is expected to taper, but human triggering remains possible.

Recent storm snow has been wind affected in exposed terrain. South-facing slopes and low elevations hold a surface crust.

Facets, surface hoar (in sheltered terrain), and a crust on solar aspects that all formed during the February drought, are buried 50–100 cm deep. This layer has produced large natural and human-triggered avalanches this week.

Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of facets and a crust from early December can be found. This layer appears to be dormant but remains an isolated concern in this region.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level 700 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing in the afternoon. Treeline temperatures -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday

10 cm of snow overnight.

Cloudy with up to 15 cm of snow/rain. 70 to 90 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures 0 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
• Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
• Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.