Avalanche Forecast

Moderate -

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny, light southwesterly winds, alpine temperature -13 C, freezing level 700 m.SUNDAY: Increasing clouds with light snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, light southwesterly winds, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level 800 m.MONDAY: Cloudy with morning snowfall, accumulation 10 cm, light easterly winds, alpine temperature -15 C, freezing level 700 m.

On Thursday, large wind slab avalanches were noted on south to easterly aspects in alpine and treeline terrain, being triggered naturally and by snowmobiles.On Wednesday, small to large (size 1 to 3) wind slabs were triggered naturally, generally on northerly to easterly aspects, and in alpine terrain.

10 to 20 cm of new snow fell at higher elevations, with associated strong westerly switching to easterly winds. This new snow fell on previous wind slabs that exist on all aspects in exposed terrain.  In sheltered locations, expect to find dry snow in shady areas. A melt-freeze crust is found at low elevations, where the precipitation fell as rain.About 50 cm deep, a crust is found up to 2200 metres.  At a similar depth, a layer of surface hoar is found on shaded aspects at treeline in parts of the region.The midpack is well-settled and strong. This overlies sugary facets in thin snowpack areas.