Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Snowfall peters out on Saturday before a second pulse of snow arrives on Sunday and continues through Monday, bringing 10-20 cm. Winds are generally light until Sunday night, when they rise to moderate westerly. Freezing level is at valley floor.

There was a widespread avalanche cycle earlier in the week in response to the warm storm, with a round of persistent slabs. Natural activity has now eased, but a few cornice drops triggered storm slabs on Thursday.

New snow is falling on a supportive crust, found below about 1900 m in the north and 2100 m in the south. At higher elevations, recently formed wind slabs may be found lee to the south-west. Recent warming and subsequent cooling have helped strengthen the mid-January surface hoar layer, but it still remains a concern, especially at high elevations. The mid-December surface hoar layer is 80 to 140cm below the surface and appears to be slowly gaining strength. Basal facets could be triggered with large triggers like cornice fall in specific terrain.