Our forecasting season has ended.  Daily avalanche risk reports and operations will resume in December.

Storm slab risk on North aspects.  

Wind slab risk on North aspects.  

Storm slab risk on North aspects.  

Generally safe conditions today.

Generally safe conditions today.

Generally safe conditions today.

Generally safe conditions today.

Expect to find wind slab on North facing alpine (above 3000m) aspects near ridgetops.  

Expect to find wind slab on North facing alpine (above 3000m) aspects near ridgetops. 

Expect to find wind slab on North aspects near ridgetops.  

Expect to find wind slab on North aspects near ridgetops.  

Snowfall and light winds from the Southerly half.  

Southerly winds have produced wind slab on North aspects above 3000 meters. The risk of a single skier triggering avalanches within the new snow layer will increase with rising daytime temperatures.  

Southerly winds have produced wind slab on North aspects above 3000 meters. The risk of a single skier triggering avalanches within the new snow layer will increase with rising daytime temperatures.  

Snowing conditions and disturbed weather through Monday.  Southerly winds producing storm slab and later wind slab on North aspects above 3000 meters.  

Steep alpine slopes are a gamble with a deep persistent weak layer.  The consequences of triggering an avalanche within this layer are large, destructive avalanches which may endanger not only you, your group but other groups below and rescuers.  Use conservative decisions selecting terrain and managing your group.  Stay aware of your surroundings including groups riding slopes above you.

Steep alpine slopes are a gamble with a deep persistent weak layer.  The consequences of triggering an avalanche within this layer are large, destructive avalanches which may endanger not only you, your group but other groups below and rescuers.  New storm snow load will stress the persistent weak layer where present.  This will erase gains in strength made over the past days and increase the likelyhood that the weight of a single person may trigger a large destructive avalanche.  

Steep alpine slopes are a gamble with a deep persistent weak layer.  The consequences of triggering an avalanche within this layer are large, destructive avalanches which may endanger not only you, your group but other groups below and rescuers.  New storm snow load will stress the persistent weak layer where present.  This will erase gains in strength made over the past days and increase the likelyhood that the weight of a single person may trigger a large destructive avalanche.  

Steep alpine slopes are a gamble with a deep persistent weak layer.  The consequences of triggering an avalanche within this layer are large, destructive avalanches which may endanger not only you, your group but other groups below and rescuers.  New storm snow load will stress the persistent weak layer where present.  This will erase gains in strength made over the past days and increase the likelyhood that the weight of a single person may trigger a large destructive avalanche.  

Steep alpine slopes are a gamble with a deep persistent weak layer.  The consequences of triggering an avalanche within this layer are large, destructive avalanches which may endanger not only you, your group but other groups below and rescuers.  New storn snow load will stress the persistent weak layer where present.  This will erase gains in strength made over the past days and increase the likelyhood that the weight of a single person may trigger a large destructive avalanche.  

Steep alpine slopes are a gamble with a deep persistent weak layer.  The consequences of triggering an avalanche within this layer are large, destructive avalanches which may endanger not only you, your group but other groups below and rescuers.  Remember too that a serious injury sustained here in the Pir Pinjal range may have a far worse outcome than in Western countries due to long rescue duration.  

Steep alpine slopes are a gamble with a deep persistent weak layer.  The consequences of triggering an avalanche within this layer are large, destructive avalanches which may endanger not only you, your group but other groups below and rescuers.  Remember too that a serious injury sustained here in the Pir Pinjal range may have a far worse outcome than in Western countries due to long rescue duration.  

Steep alpine slopes are a gamble with a deep persistent weak layer.  The consequences of triggering an avalanche within this layer are large, destructive avalanches which may endanger not only you, your group but other groups below and rescuers.  Remember too that a serious injury sustained here in the Pir Pinjal range may have a far worse outcome than in Western countries due to long rescue duration.  

Thanks to your observations and feedback it has become clear the deep weak layer has not been flushed from the alpine region.  Onward it will be referred to as a persistent weak layer and a persistent slab avalanche problem.  As past performance indicates, current storm snow load will return affected slopes to the tipping point where the weight of a single skier may trigger large destructive avalanches containing the entire season's snowpack.  

The alpine region (above 3000m) has been coated in wind slab.  Where shallow, a single skier may trigger and propogate an avalanche of increasing size and above their location on the slope.  Increasing daytime temperatures will further destabilize this problem mid-day.  Manage your group and terrain carefully.  Consider a visit to the rescue training center today to practice your skills before heading into the backcountry.

 70mm SWE (snow water equivalent) recorded at Kangdoor since beginning of this storm.  Periods of strong Southerly winds overnight at 3000m.  A single rider will likely trigger avalanches on open and steep slopes.  Avoid the alpine region today; particularly known runout zones due to large avalanches starting on alpine slopes which may penetrate tree-line.

Winter storm warning Jan 20 to Jan 25.  

Winter storm warning Jan 20 to Jan 25.  

Storm slab resting on weak facets.  Three days and nights of cold temps have helped strengthen.  Look for areas where tension has been released through previous cracking or avalanches.  Alpine slopes which appear loaded with snow (have not avalanched) should be avoided.  

Storm slab resting on weak facets.  Expect dangerous avalance conditions above and at treeline. 

Dangerous avalanche conditions today.  Storm winds actively loading alpine slopes which have very weak previous snow as support.  Expect naturally occuring avalanches above treeline with debris from these avalanches reaching treeline.  

Be mindful of sudden rise in temperature and sustained warm temperatures on South aspects.  Both will have an effect of increasing avalanche risk.  Due to the ongoing absence of freezing temperatures overnight, wetslab avalanches are a risk on South aspects up to 3500 meters where snow will collapse in the shape of your skis/snowboard due to your weight.  

Wind slab on North aspects at alpine ridgetop elevations.  Be mindful of sudden rise in temperature and sustained warm temperatures on South aspects.  Both will have an effect of increasing avalanche risk.  Due to the ongoing absence of freezing temperatures overnight, wetslab avalanches are a risk on South aspects up to 3500 meters where snow will collapse in the shape of your skis/snowboard due to your weight.  

Wind slab on North aspects at alpine ridgetop elevations.  Be mindful of sudden rise in temperature and sustained warm temperatures on South aspects.  Both will have an effect of increasing avalanche risk.  Due to the absence of freezing temperatures overnight, expect to see a rise in risk of wet slab avalanches by Sunday.  

Wind slab on North aspects at alpine ridgetop elevations.  Be mindful of sudden rise in temperature and sustained warm temperatures on South aspects.  Both will have an effect of increasing avalanche risk.  

Storm slab on North aspects at alpine elevation ridgetops.  Deep persistent weak layer has failed in some places during past Friday/Saturday storm.  As of today it has once again gained adequate strength.  Be mindful of sudden rise in temperature and sustained warm temperatures on South aspects.  Both will have an effect of increasing avalanche risk.  

Storm slab on North aspects at alpine elevation ridgetops.  Deep persistent weak layer has failed in some places during past Friday/Saturday storm.  As of today it has once again gained adequate strength.  Be mindful of sudden rise in temperature and sustained warm temperatures on South aspects.  Both will have an effect of increasing avalanche risk.  

Storm slab on North aspects at alpine elevation ridgetops.  Deep persistent weak layer has failed in some places during past Friday/Saturday storm.  As of today it has once again gained adequate strength.  Be mindful of sudden rise in temperature and sustained warm temperatures on South aspects.  Both will have an effect of increasing avalanche risk.  

Dangerous wind slab conditions in the alpine region (above 3000m);  supported by weak facets atop a crust on South aspects.  Deeper in the snowpack, weak crystals near the ground are at risk of failure due to new snow load.  The added weight of a single rider may trigger avalanches containing the entire seasons snowpack.  

Wind slab on North half aspects in upper Alpine elevations (above 3500m).  Load threshold has been reached to bring deeply buried persistent weak layer into risk of failure where present.  

New storm snow accumulating today. Wind slab on North half aspects in Alpine elevations (above 3000m).  For now, the persistent weak layer problem has stabilized.  

Wind slab on North half aspects in Alpine elevations (above 3000m).  For now, the persistent weak layer problem has stabilized.  

Wind slab on North half aspects in Alpine elevations (above 3000m).  For now, the persistent weak layer has stabilized.  

Wind slab on North half aspects in Alpine elevations (above 3000m).  Various alpine avalanche paths in the alpine region have a deeply buried weak layer and may be hanging in the balance.  A single rider may trigger large, destructive avalanches.  When selecting your route in the backcountry, remain conservative.  

New snow wind slab on North half aspects in Alpine elevations (above 3000m).  Various alpine avalanche paths in the alpine region have a deeply buried weak layer and may be hanging in the balance.  A single rider may trigger large, destructive avalanches.  When selecting your route in the backcountry, remain conservative.  

Strong Southerly winds overnight has blanketed the Alpine in wind slab.  New snow wind slab on North half aspects in Alpine elevations (above 3000m).  Various alpine avalanche paths in the alpine region have a deeply buried weak layer and may be hanging in the balance.  A single rider may trigger large, destructive avalanches.  When selecting your route in the backcountry, remain conservative.  

New snow wind slab on North half aspects in both alpine and treeline (below 3000m).  Various alpine avalanche paths in the alpine region have a deeply buried weak layer and may be hanging in the balance.  A single rider may trigger large, destructive avalanches.  When selecting your route in the backcountry, remain conservative.  Slopes which have previously avalanched are a better choice to begin your selection process.  

New snow wind slab on North half aspects near ridgetops in the alpine region (above 3000m).  Various alpine avalanche paths in the alpine region have a deeply buried weak layer and may be hanging in the balance.  A single rider may trigger large, destructive avalanches.  When selecting your route in the backcountry, remain conservative.  Slopes which have previously avalanched are a better choice to begin your selection process.