Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

• We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Over the past 3 days a few small wind slabs have been reported along with a few small wet and dry loose avalanches in steep or extreme terrain.

Surface conditions are highly variable:

·        In exposed alpine and treeline terrain recent variable wind has scoured ridge tops and formed small wind slabs in lee features.

·        Sheltered treeline features likely still hold up to 20 cm of low density snow.

·         Below treeline A firm crust is on or just below the surface on all aspects.

·        A crust exists on or near the surface on sun exposed slopes. This crust will likely soften with brief periods of sun.

The melt freeze crust from the atmospheric river event is buried up to 50 cm. The snowpack below this crust is well consolidated.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 mm of rain at treeline, snow in the alpine. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
• Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.
• Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.