Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected. Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Thursday night: Partly cloudy, light wind, alpine temperature near -10, freezing level valley bottom.

Friday: Mostly cloudy skies, light wind, alpine high near -5, freezing level 1700 m.

Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, alpine high near -5, freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, alpine high near -5, freezing level 1700 m.

Warm sunny weather on Monday and Tuesday likely resulted in wet loose avalanche activity on steep sun-exposed slopes. We have several reports of avalanche activity triggered by last week's warming including widespread wet loose avalanches and a few large (size 3) wet slab avalanches in the McBride area.

The cooling trend will make wet avalanches problems less likely in the coming days, making isolated wind slabs and cornice falls the primary concern.

A dusting of recent snow may sit above a thick surface crust. The upper snowpack has undergone multiple melt-freeze cycles and is now crusty and refrozen in the cooler temperatures. Dry snow may still be found on northerly aspects above roughly 2300 m. 

We suspect older weak layers have gone inactive as the weather patterns over the past month have been favorable for strengthening the snowpack. That being said, we have very limited field observations to confirm this so make sure to back off if you notice signs of instability.

• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.