Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Unsettled conditions are expected for Sunday. Monday might see a weak ridge form resulting in dry conditions or the unsettled conditions may persist. The next organized system is expected to arrive on the south coast on Monday night and light precipitation is expected for Tuesday. Freezing levels are expected to be lower in the north of the region.Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, light scattered precipitation, freezing level am: 1300m pm: 1700m, ridgetop wind: light S-SWMonday: A mix of sun and cloud, light scattered precipitation, freezing level am: 1700m pm: 2300m, ridgetop wind: moderate S-SWMon. Night/Tuesday: Precipitation 3-5mm, freezing level am: 1700m pm: 1700m, ridgetop wind: light S-W

We received 2 reports of avalanche activity in the Duffy Lake Road area on Friday. This includes a natural size 1.5 wind slab released from a steep north facing couloir, a skier triggered size 2.5 storm slab on a north aspect, and a skier triggered size 1 storm slab which released down 30cm. Public observations are really appreciated this time of year. If you are out in the mountains, please send your observations to [email protected].

New snow is sitting on a melt-freeze crust which exists on all aspects up to 2000m, and to mountain-top on solar aspects. The recent warmer temperatures have helped to strengthen and settled the upper snowpack, especially on solar aspects. The upper snowpack is expected be moist at treeline and wet/isothermal below treeline. Where dry snow exists, recent SW winds have formed wind slab in leeward features. Large sagging cornices remain a concern, especially during periods of warming. The February crust/facet layer is now deeply buried 150-250 cm below the surface. This layer is mostly inactive at this time, but could re-awaken with extended warming, solar influence and large triggers like cornice fall.