Avalanche Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy / Moderate northwest winds / Low of -20 / Freezing level surface.

THURSDAY: Increasing cloudiness / Light west wind / High of -7 / Freezing level surface.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm / Moderate west wind / High of -5 / Freezing level rising to 1000 m.

SATURDAY: Snow; 10-20 cm / Strong southwest wind / High of -1 / Freezing level 1400 m.

Several skier triggered wind slabs up to size 2 were reported on Tuesday.

Recent west and northwest winds have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. These slabs may remain more reactive on south facing slopes where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust. Below the recent snow, there may be a layer of small surface hoar that is likely most pronounced on northerly aspects or sheltered locations.

Lower elevations have seen warm temperatures last week and have a melt freeze crust on the surface below 1600 m.

The late February weak layer combination of crust, facets and surface hoar is down 30-40cm deep, and has been reactive mostly on south facing slopes during periods of sun. 

Two persistent weak layers from mid February and late January are buried 50-120cm deep. No recent avalanches have been reported on these layers but they continue to produce the occasional notable result in snowpack tests.

The most likely triggers of these persistent weak layers are large triggers such as smaller avalanches in motion, cornices, or snowmobiles.

• Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
• Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.