Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Friday

Synopsis: Mostly dry until Friday, when a Pineapple Express to the south of the region will spill some moisture over into this region.Wednesday and Thursday: Mostly dry both days. Freezing level around 1200 m. Winds southwest, mostly light, increasing to strong on Thursday afternoon.Friday: Moderate snow, with rain at lower elevations, starting late in the day. Freezing level around 1600 m. Southwesterly ridgetop winds to 80 km/h.

There were reports of avalanches up to size 3 on Monday afternoon. Human triggered avalanches up to size 1.5 were also reported on steep, or unsupported slopes on north-facing slopes. A cornice collapse (size 2.5) was also observed Monday that entrained a lot of loose snow but did not result in a slab avalanche.

40-70 cm of new snow has fallen in the past few days. Strong west-southwest winds have redistributed the new snow into deep wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and cross-loaded gully features. The February 12 persistent weak layer (crust, and/or surface hoar) is now down 60-80 cm and is primed for triggering. Recent snowpack tests have shown easy to moderate "pops" results on this interface and has been particularly touchy on south aspects where a sun crust exists. Deeper persistent weak layers from early February and late January continue to show planar failures when moderate to hard forces are applied in snow pack tests. These deeper layers have not been reactive to the weight of a rider, but they may be triggered by large loads like an avalanche in motion (step-down avalanche), or a cornice fall.