Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

One more day under the influence of high pressure before the first in a series of storm systems moves inland on Sunday. 

Friday Night: Mainly clear, light NW wind, treeline low around -15 °C. 

Saturday: Mainly sunny, light to moderate SW wind, treeline high around -5 °C. 

Sunday: Mainly cloudy with flurries 2-4 cm, moderate to strong SW wind, treeline high around -4 °C. 

Monday: Snowfall, moderate to strong SW wind, treeline high around -2 °C. 

On Thursday, a few natural wind slabs up to size 2.5 were observed in the alpine in the western part of the region. Explosive use triggered several size 2-2.5 cornice releases. One of these cornices releases triggered a small slab on the slope below. Some natural and explosive-triggered loose dry avalanches were also reported from steep slopes. 

On Wednesday, several natural size 2 wind slabs were reported on north aspects at around 2000 m elevation. Natural loose dry avalanches were also observed on steep slopes. 

20-40 cm of snow typically overlies a variable and potentially weak interface from mid-February which includes a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects, facets, and/or surface hoar. So far this interface has only been a concern in wind-loaded terrain where a slab has formed. In exposed terrain at higher elevations, recent strong northeast winds have caused extensive scouring and wind slab formation. Due to the northerly wind direction, reverse loading occurred meaning there may be wind slabs lingering in unusual places. 

A layer of buried surface hoar from late-January sits 30-60 cm deep in the snowpack and is most likely to be found on north aspects in sheltered areas. Though there haven't been reports of recent avalanches on this layer in this region, it is still on the radar of many operations and could potentially be triggered by large loads such as a cornice fall or a step-down avalanche. 

The lower snowpack is well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer from early-December found 100-150 cm deep. It is currently considered dormant but could become active again later this season. Check out the forecaster blog for more information. 

• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.