Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Generally unsettled conditions are expected for the forecast period.  Wednesday: Trace amounts of new snow / Moderate westerly winds / Freezing level at 1000m Thursday: Up to 10cm of new snow accumulating between  Thursday afternoon and early Friday morning / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 1000m  Friday: 2-5cm of snow / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 1000m

Storm slabs up to size 2.5 were observed over the weekend in the southwest corner of the region. They formed in response to new snow and wind. Touchy wind slabs to size 1.5 were still remotely triggered on Monday. Patterns in avalanche activity vary greatly across the region due to varying recent snowfall amounts and underlying snowpack structure.

The few reports we've received indicate conditions are highly variable across the region. Approximately 15-30 cm of dense storm snow overlies a variety of crusty old surfaces. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.