Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern; little change is expected for several days. Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Friday night: Clear skies, alpine temperature -12 C, light east wind, no precipitation.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, alpine temperature -10 C, light southwest wind, no precipitation.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud, alpine temperature -8 C, light to moderate southerly wind, no precipitation.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, alpine temperature -7 C, moderate to strong southwest wind, light snow possible in the afternoon with 2-5 cm of accumulation. 

Avalanches are decreasing in likelihood, but it still may be possible to trigger wind slabs in isolated pockets in the alpine. This is a great MIN report from the South Columbia region on Wednesday that helps to paint the picture of these wind slab avalanches.

If you see anything while out in the field, please consider sharing that information with us and the backcountry community via the Mountain Information Network.

With this week's clear and cold weather, last weekend's storm snow is losing strength, except where it has been drifted into wind slabs in the alpine. Variable winds previously redistributed the 20-60 cm of snow from last weekend into wind slabs that may still be possible to trigger in isolated areas. These slabs could be more reactive where they overly a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) that formed last week. With few recent field observations, there is uncertainty as to the current distribution and reactivity of these layers. Generally, the prolonged inactive weather pattern has improved snowpack stability in the short term.

Snow line sits around 1200 m, and snow depths range from 90-160 cm at treeline elevations.