Avalanche Forecast
New snow, warm temperatures, and rain may be overloading buried weak layers. Use extra caution if entering avalanche terrain today.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Friday: Size 1 and 2 loose wet, and wet slab avalanches were observed in the alpine out of lee features.
Several small (size 1) loose wet avalanches were also observed in the Shames Mountain backcountry.
Thursday: Two small (size 1) natural and rider triggered wet slabs were observed.
Snowpack Summary
10-25 cm of snow and /or rain has fallen in region over the last week. This snow is likely very dense, settling rapidly, and moist or wet at treeline elevations and below, where some of this snow fell as rain.
A layer of surface hoar and facets has been found 30-50 cm deep in parts of the region. Below this sits a 15 cm thick hard crust. There is potential for the accumulated storm snow / rain and warm temperatures to overload these layers triggering large avalanches.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 10-15 cm of new snow / moderate rain, south alpine wind 60 km/h, treeline temperature 6°C, freezing level rising to 2200 m
Monday
Cloudy with 10-20 cm of new snow / moderate to heavy rain, southerly alpine wind 70 km/h, treeline temperature 3 °C, freezing level 1600 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 3-12 cm snow / light to moderate rain, southwesterly alpine wind 60-70 km/h, treeline temperature 2 °C, freezing level 1200m m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 3-10 cm snow / light rain, southerly alpine wind 50-60 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
These slabs will be most reactive at or near ridge crests, especially during periods when snow is being moved by wind onto lee slopes. Wet slabs are possible at treeline elevations and below.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The accumulated precipitation, wind and warm temperatures will make this deeper layer easier to trigger.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Loose Wet
Use caution when encountering moist or wet snow in steep areas or gully features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5