Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

FRIDAY: Scattered flurries / Moderate south wind / Alpine temperature -6 / Freezing level 1300mSATURDAY: Flurries, accumulation 10-15cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1500mSUNDAY: Broken skies with isolated flurries / moderate to strong west wind / Alpine temperature -10 / Freezing level 800mMore details can be found on the Mountain Weather Forecast.

There was a widespread natural avalanche cycle to size 3 on all aspects and elevations over the past 2 days in the areas south of Valemount. Although the natural avalanche cycle will have diminished, expect the recent storm slab to continue to be reactive at upper elevations.

In the south of the region, surface snow up to 2000m has been moist or wet and with gradually cooling weather there may be a thin surface crust from between 1200 and 2000m. At upper elevations there has been 5-15cm of fresh snow with moderate to strong southerly winds each of the past several days creating storm slabs and wind slabs tree line and above. This recent new snow sits on faceted snow, thin sun crust on steep southerly aspects, as well as surface hoar in sheltered areas in some parts of the region. Approximately 80-120 cm below the surface you may find the mid-February persistent weakness. Professionals in the region have warned that the load above this layer has reached a critical amount, particularly where it presents as a crust. Deep persistent weaknesses in the lower third of the snowpack still have the potential to react to human triggers or smaller slab avalanches, especially with the warming air temperatures and/or intense sunshine.