Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday

Unsettled conditions are expected for Saturday and Sunday. Light winds and convective snow showers are forecast to bring up to 10 cm on Saturday. Clearing overnight should turn to broken skies during the day on Sunday. There may be some clearing on Monday if a ridge of high pressure extends far enough north. If the ridge does not go far enough north, then expect cloud and scattered flurries to move in from the northwest.

One natural size 2.0 was reported from 1800 metres on a SE aspect that was 50 cm deep on Thursday. Earlier in the week natural avalanches and natural cornice falls up to size 3.5 were reported.

The region has received about 35 cm of new snow in the past 2 days. Recent moderate to strong winds have transported available snow into thick windslabs in the alpine and at treeline, and have added weak new growth to the large cornices in the region. The new snow has added to the well consolidated storm slab that overlies weak surfaces that formed early February. This interface, which lies between 1 and 2 metres below the surface, includes a widespread surface hoar instability that, depending on aspect an elevation, may exist in combination with facets or crusts. These persistent weak layers have been reactive all week and remain a concern at all elevations. The weight of new snow, near-surface avalanches, sleds, and skiers may easily trigger these deeper weaknesses creating unexpectedly large and destructive avalanches.