Avalanche Forecast

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy skies with isolated flurries bringing up to 5 cm of snow, light wind from the west, treeline temperatures drop to -10 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy skies, no significant precipitation, light wind from the west, treeline temperatures around -6 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures around -8 C.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the north, treeline temperatures around -10 C.

Several small (size 1) natural and human triggered avalanches were reported during the stormy weather between Saturday and Wednesday. These included both slab and loose avalanches in the top 15-30 cm of new snow, primarily on north and east facing slopes. This snow should stabilize relatively quickly, with the possible exception of wind loaded slopes at higher elevations. 

Recent storm snow has likely settled into 10 to 30 cm of heavy powder at upper elevations and wet/crusty snow at lower elevations. This snow covers a variety of hard layers, including wind-affected snow on alpine slopes and sun crusts on south-facing slopes. A widespread crust layer from mid-February is 50 to 100 cm deep in the western side of the range and 25 to 50 cm deep on the eastern side. The snowpack is generally well settled below this crust.

• Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
• Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.