Heightened danger ratings reflect up to 30 cm of new snow forecast at upper elevations in the south of the region by Sunday. Fresh snow will be sensitive to the sun on Monday. This is the last forecast of the season. Thanks for the great winter and play safe!
Minimize your exposure below cornices. Cornice falls are dangerous on their own and can possibly trigger avalanches on slopes below.
The south of the region may see up to 30 cm of new snow by Sunday. Fresh storm slabs may be reactive on the widespread crust and in wind loaded pockets. Fresh snow will also be prone to solar-triggered loose dry avalanche activity when the sun comes out on Monday.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, light wind, alpine high near -3, freezing level 2000 m.
Saturday: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm, light wind, alpine high near -4, freezing level 1700 m.
Sunday: 15-30 cm new snow in the south of the region, trace in the north, light southwest wind, alpine high near -4, freezing level 1700 m.
Monday: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm, moderate westerly wind, alpine high near -4, freezing level 1700 m.
Warm temperatures last week resulted in widespread wet avalanche activity. The most notable activity was last Saturday where there was both widespread size 1-2 wet loose avalanches and a few larger and destructive (size 2.5-3.5) wet slab avalanches. The large wet slabs were mostly on south and west facing slopes. Avalanche activity has been on the decline since then with relatively cooler temperatures. A cornice fall triggered a large (size 3) slab avalanche on a north-facing alpine ridge in Glacier National Park on Tuesday.
Looking forward, we may see some storm slab activity in the new snow on Sunday and solar triggered loose snow avalanches will be likely on Monday.
In the south of the region, up to 15-20 cm of new snow is forecast to fall by Sunday, while the north may see a light dusting. The new snow falls over a thick surface crust. The upper snowpack has undergone multiple melt-freeze cycles and is now crusty and refrozen in the cooler temperatures. Dry snow may still be found on northerly aspects above roughly 2400 m. There are no layers of concern in the snowpack, which has been melting and settling over the past week. Large cornices loom along many ridgelines.
