Avalanche Forecast

High -

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear and cold, with alpine temperatures dipping to around -10 C.

TUESDAY: A clear start with clouds increasing through the day. Light variable winds. Alpine high temperature -3 C. Freezing level 1500 m.

WEDNESDAY: Light snow, 2-5 cm. Light to moderate southwesterly winds. Alpine high temperature -4 C. Freezing level 1300 m.

THURSDAY: Mostly dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate southwesterly winds. Alpine High temperature -5C. Freezing level 1000 m.

On Sunday a size 2.5 natural cornice release was reported from a north aspect alpine slope. Dry loose snow avalanches were reported up to size 1.5 in steep terrain involving recent new snow.

On Saturday there were a few reports of storm and wind slab avalanche activity to size 1.5 and 2. These were primarily on north and northeast aspects above 2200 m.

Up to 25 cm dry soft snow can be found on shaded aspects above around 1500 m. On south-facing slopes and at lower elevations expect crusty snow in the morning and soft moist snow in the afternoon. Winds have slackened off of late, but recent wind slabs and cornices still pose a hazard close to steep ridgelines.

The lower snowpack has strengthened over the past week as previous persistent weak layers have become mostly unreactive. The main layers that we had been tracking are a layer of facets that was buried in mid-February (50-100 cm deep) and a layer of surface hoar and/or a crust that was buried in late January (80-120 cm deep).

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.