Avalanche Forecast

Several avalanche reports and snowpack tests through the week have indicated that wind slab and persistent avalanches are still a concern.

Looking forward to Friday, new snow and wind are making it more likely for a large avalanche to be triggered by a human.

Field observations have been limited, if you head out, please consider submitting a Mountain Information Network post.

Expect to find 15 to 25 cm of soft, fresh snow in sheltered areas. Strong winds are forming fresh, reactive wind slabs in leeward terrain.

The new snow covers wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts.

There are a variety of weak layers in the upper snowpack that could produce larger avalanches. Most concerning is a layer of weak, faceted crystals sitting on a crust 40 to 80 cm below the snow surface, seen in the snow profile photo below.

The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.

Thursday Night

Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow expected. Strong south or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline lowaround -7 °C. 5 °C colder in the north end of the forecast area.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow expected. Strong south or southwest ridgetop wind, easing to moderate by the end of the day. Treeline high around -5 °C. 5 °C colder in the north half of the forecast area.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow expected to valley bottom. Light north ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -4 °C.

Sunday

Partly cloudy. 0-2 cm of snow expected to near valley bottom. Moderate south ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.