Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Between 10-20cm of new snow is expected to fall throughout the day on Sunday. Winds associated with the system should be generally moderate from the west. A dry ridge of high pressure will bring increasingly clear skies and light northerly winds for Monday and Tuesday. Freezing levels should sit at about 1400m on Sunday, and the climb to about 1800m on Monday and Tuesday.

In recent days a handful of size 1-2 storm slabs were triggered by skiers, naturally and with explosives. These were almost all on NW-NE aspects and above 1900 m. New snow and moderate winds on Sunday will likely promote further storm slab activity.

Cornices are large and looming in some areas. Recently formed melt freeze/ sun crusts are now buried by storm slabs and variable wind slabs. Several crusts are buried in the upper snowpack. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. This interface may remain more reactive on northerly (shaded) aspects above about 1700 m, where buried surface hoar has the best chance of preservation. On sunny aspects, this interface may be a crust/ facet layer. While becoming unlikely, it could be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.