Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

SATURDAY NIGHT: 15-20 cm snow. Strong west to south-westerly winds.SUNDAY: 5-10 cm snow. Freezing level near 400 m. Moderate to strong westerly winds. MONDAY: 5-10 cm snow during the day, with a further 15-20 cm overnight. Freezing level near 400 m. Strong south-westerly winds.TUESDAY: Around 10 cm snow. Freezing level near 400 m. Strong westerly winds.More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

The beginnings of a natural avalanche cycle were reported on Friday, with loose avalanches in steep terrain and wind slabs to size 2 failing naturally.Ongoing snow and wind are expected to cause a rise in avalanche activity throughout the weekend.

Snow and wind over the weekend are building storm slabs and wind slabs in open terrain at alpine and treeline elevations. Storm snow is sluffing readily in steep terrain. New snow has buried old hard wind slabs, scoured surfaces and sastrugi in many exposed areas. In wind-sheltered terrain, sun crusts or dry facets sit below the recent storm snow.In the upper pack is an interface of sun crusts, facets and spotty surface hoar (which is most prevalent in sheltered treed locations). Deeper in the snowpack, around 50-150 cm down, you'll find a crust/surface hoar layer, which still has the chance to surprise you and could be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like cornice fall.