Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

No new avalanches reported in the last couple of days.

On Saturday, East of Mackenzie, in the Pine Pass area, some small, loose avalanches were reported in steep terrain. Loose Dry in steep, alpine, lee features, and Loose Wet from steep rocky outcrops well below tree line.

If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, avalanche or snowpack observations, or even just a photo. Heck, share what you had for lunch if that was the most eventful thing that happened:)

Pine Pass was a hotspot for snowfall over the weekend, with storm totals around 30cm. For most of the rest of the forecast area, 10-20 cm of mostly soft snow is settling over a widespread crust except north facing high alpine slopes, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces. Recent moderate southwest and west wind has formed pockets of windslab on leeward slopes.

The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

Below treeline, expect to find around 5cm of moist snow over a series of crusts, possibly supportive to the weight of a human.

A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is still a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

 

A generally convective weather pattern will mean that on Tuesday we'll see spotty areas of cloud and light snowfall, or quick bursts of intense snowfall, but it also might be sunny, and everything could change at the drop of a hat.

Monday Night

Mix of clear and cloud. Possible trace of snow expected. Light west or southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom. Treeline low around -8°C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Possible trace of snow expected. Light variable wind, increasing in the afternoon to moderate west. Freezing level rising to 1100 m. Treeline high around -3°C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy in the morning, sunny in the afternoon. No new snow expected. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to west at higher elevations. Freezing level at valley bottom in the morning, rising to 1500 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 0-3 cm of snow expected. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level at valley bottom in the morning, rising to between 1500 and 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.