Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Tonight and Sunday: Periods of snow 20-30 cm. The freezing level is around 600-800 m. Winds are strong easing to moderate from the W-SW. Monday: Cloudy with sunny breaks and possible flurries. The freezing level is around 800 m. Winds are light but gusty from the W-SW. Tuesday: Periods of snow, heavy at times. The freezing level is around 1200-1500 m and winds increase to strong from the SW.

Numerous size 1-2 rider triggered slab avalanches were reported throughout the region on Friday. It's likely a fairly widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred in many areas later on Friday afternoon when the storm peaked. Expect natural avalanche activity to taper off over the next couple days, while the potential for rider triggering remains high.

40-70 cm of storm snow now sits on a layer of surface hoar or sugary faceted snow on shady slopes, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, or hard wind slabs and scoured slopes in exposed terrain. Initial tests on this new interface showed a poor bond between the new snow and old snow surface. Weaknesses may also exist within the new storm snow. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is buried 60-120 cm deep. There has been no reported activity on this layer recently, but the recent heavy snowfall and rapid warming could have triggered some large avalanches. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.