Avalanche Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: 10-15 cm. snow, strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

SATURDAY: 3-5 cm snow, moderate west wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1100 m.

SUNDAY: 3-5 cm. snow, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level 700 m.

MONDAY: Cloudy with potential flurries; 0-3 cm, light west wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 800 m.

Several large cornice falls have been reported over the last few days. Most of them did not trigger slabs on the slopes below. Several natural and skier triggered slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on primarily east/southeast aspects at treeline and above on Tuesday. 

Clear and sunny skies have formed new surface hoar (size 3-10 mm.) on all but solar aspects where a new sun crust has been formed. This new interface will need to be carefully monitored as it gets buried. New snow falling on this layer will be more reactive than previous storms where the new snow did not fall on a persistent weak layer. The early February rain crust is another prominent layer in the upper snowpack that requires monitoring, though there have been no recent avalanches on this layer. The lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.

• Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
• Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.