Avalanche Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT - Mainly clear / light to moderate west wind / alpine low temperature near -6 

FRIDAY - Mainly sunny / light to moderate west wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 2000 m

SATURDAY - Mainly sunny / light southwest wind / alpine high temperature near 1 / freezing level 2700 m

SUNDAY - Mainly sunny / moderate south wind / alpine high temperature near 1 / freezing level 2500 m

Reports from this week have mostly been limited to small wet loose avalanches on solar aspects, and small dry loose avalanches in steep, shaded terrain

During last week's warm weather, a large (size 2) slab avalanche released naturally on a weak layer of facets near the ground in a shallow snowpack area east of the region near Apex.

The most recent avalanche observed on the late January persistent weak layer was reported February 28th, when large explosives produced very large (size 2-3) results at Kootenay Pass.

Wind slabs may be found in lee features at upper elevations. Soft, dry snow exists in sheltered, shaded areas, and solar aspects likely have a crust on the surface.

Deeper in the snowpack, a persistent weak layer from late January is buried 80-150 cm deep and is composed of a combination of surface hoar, crusts, and facets. There is some lingering uncertainty about whether this problem remains reactive on isolated upper elevation slopes in thin snowpack areas. 

As described in this MIN report, shallow snowpack areas in the east of the region may harbor a faceted basal snowpack. This structure can typically be managed by avoiding shallow rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin. 

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
• Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.