Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number and quality of field observations

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy and Isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures low of -10C. Light-moderate westerly winds.FRIDAY: Isolated flurries. Mix of sun and clouds. Alpine temperatures high of -5C. Moderate westerly winds gusting at ridgetops.SATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperatures high of -2C. Light west wind. Freezing level between 1600m and 1800m. SUNDAY: Cloudy with sunny period. Alpine temperatures high near 0C. Light west wind. Freezing level around 2000m.

On Wednesday, riders have triggered small storm slabs avalanches (up to size 1.5) on north facing slopes near ridgetops and few natural loose dry were observed on alpine feature. Also, small wind slabs were triggered on unexpected areas on lee slopes last few days. Sledders were surprised to remotely trigger a persistent slab avalanche down 60 cm late afternoon Thursday on a west facing slope below treeline. See the Min report form Lizard Range and Flathead for more details.

Recent 15-20 cm of low density snow now overlies old and firm wind slabs in alpine terrain. The middle snowpack consist of weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers. In wind affected treeline and alpine areas there is a slab above these facets. In isolated wind protected locations a thin surface hoar layer from mid-January is 50-80 cm deep. The surface hoar is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m. Regardless of whether it's facets or surface hoar they're difficult to trigger, yet hitting a thin spot or trenching with a sled, especially when the weather warms, might just do it on steep unsupported slopes.