Avalanche Forecast

On Friday, a natural avalanche cycle occurred near White water with large storm slab avalanches observed up to size 2.5. Many naturally triggered wind slab avalanches have been reported with most being large, between size 1.5 and 2.0. Extensive explosive control at a number of professional operations, produced large both wind and storm slab avalanches up to size 2.5.

10-15 cm of new snow has likely covered weak, faceted snow in many areas and wind-affected surfaces in open areas at all elevations.

A layer of surface hoar is found down 70 cm in sheltered, north-facing terrain. This layer appears as a sun crust on south-facing slopes. As temperatures slowly warm expect this layer to become reactive to human triggering.

A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.

Friday Night

Cloudy. 2-4 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -10 °C.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

Mainly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -1 °C.

Mainly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.