Avalanche Forecast

Good - -1

The general weather pattern should continue for a few more days, namely warm days with temperatures approaching zero in the sun, cold nights, light westerly wind, and no precipitation. Freezing level is expected to be around 1300 to 1500 m. Wednesday should be quite sunny, cloudy Thursday with the odd snowflake, and then clearing again Friday. Friday looks warmer.

Loose surface snow may be susceptible to sluffing on steep slopes (especially if there's a slippery sun crust below), but shouldn't be too destructive unless terrain traps are in the runout. Deep persistent slab avalanches remain possible with heavy triggers in shallow rocky snowpack areas on unsupported slopes.

Around 5 to 10 cm of fresh snow could be sitting on the widespread robust surface hoar. One report showed the feathery crystals around 4 cm long. This interface will be one to watch as it receives more snow load and/or the slab settles. Below that approximately 20cm of near-surface facets can be found on shady slopes while a sun crust can be found on southerly aspects. A well settled and strong snowpack sits on weak basal facets and depth hoar, which seem to be fairly widespread throughout the region. This deep persistent weakness was recently activated by warm temperatures, but cooler temperatures have once again reduced the sensitivity to triggers. Highly unpredictable glide cracks are also opening up, primarily on slopes with smooth ground cover. These full-depth gaping 'crevasses' could release without warning or act as a significant terrain trap.