Avalanche Forecast

On Thursday and Friday natural wind slab activity was reported up to size 1.5 on many aspects. Check out this MIN for conditions near Seaton.

A size 2 natural wind slab was reported on Thursday that stepped down to a weak layer. This is likely the buried surface hoar that also produced a persistent slab 10 days ago. While this layer is considered unlikely to be triggered, it is most possible to find in sheltered treeline terrain and could be triggered by a smaller avalanche.

Storm totals may reach 10-20 cm by Sunday afternoon, redistributed into deeper deposits by strong winds. Winds have varied, from north/easterly outflows to strong southerlies. Storm snow sits over old wind slabs or other hard, faceted (weak) surfaces, which increases reactivity as it resists bonding.

In sheltered areas, up to 50 cm of low density snow sits on a decomposing rain crust up to 1650 m.

Two surface hoar layers can be found buried 60-90 cm deep and have become unlikely to trigger. These layers may be affected by step down avalanches in thin snowpack areas.

Saturday Night

Cloudy, trace to 3 cm of snow possible. Southerly winds 10-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy, with 5 cm of snow possible during the day. Southerly winds 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy, flurries possible. Southerly winds 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, flurries possible. Southerly winds 30-50 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.