Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

FRIDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy / moderate west wind / alpine low temperature near -10

SATURDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -8 

SUNDAY - Mainly cloudy / moderate to strong west wind / alpine high temperature near -5 

MONDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / light to moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -7

On Thursday there were numerous reports of explosives triggered avalanches up to size 2.5, including one size 2.5 persistent slab avalanche.

There was a widespread natural avalanche cycle with avalanches up to size 3 reported on Tuesday night and during the day on Wednesday. There were also reports of numerous explosives triggered avalanches up to size 2.5, one of which was a persistent slab avalanche.

Over the past week, there have been several natural and persistent slab avalanches between size 2.5-3 reported in the region. These avalanches are continued reminders of the "low probability; high consequence" scenario that persistent slab problems often create. 

Recent fresh snow has been redistributed by moderate to strong winds and formed wind slabs in many areas. The storm earlier in the week brought rain to lower elevations, resulting in a crust that is now on the surface up to around 1800 m.

Roughly 80-120 cm of snow is now sitting on a crust that extends up to 1900 m. In isolated areas below treeline, this recent snow may be sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar.

The main feature we are monitoring in the snowpack is a layer of weak faceted snow over a hard melt-freeze crust found around 120-200 cm down. Recent sporadic, large, naturally triggered avalanches have occurred on this layer on large alpine slopes and were triggered by either smaller wind slab avalanches, or cornice falls.

• Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.