Avalanche Forecast

To the immediate north of our region, there were three wind slab avalanches reported. These were size ones that were triggered accidentally and naturally. These were found at elevations as low as below treeline.

A natural size one wind slab avalanche was reported in the Sky Pilot area on Sunday. This was in the alpine on an east aspect. More of the same, as well as storm slabs, should be expected from the weather that has been hitting our region since this report was submitted.

Sitting on top of a sun crust on solar aspects and a melt-freeze crust at lower elevation, you can find up to 40 cm of new snow that started accumulating on Friday. Because of this crust the recent snow may not bond well. Southerly winds have also created wind slabs in exposed terrain at higher elevations.

In general, the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded.

If you are a visual learner click here to get a look and explanation of the current snowpack.

Monday Night

Cloudy, 6 cm accumulation, winds southwest 25 to 30 km/h, with freezing levels falling to 600 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny breaks late in the day, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, winds southwest 30 to 35 km/h, freezing levels 500 rising to 1000 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with periods of sun, trace accumulation, winds northwest 15 km/h gusting to 30, freezing levels 500 rising to 1000 m.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, no accumulation, winds southeast 15 to 20 km/h, freezing levels rising to 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• As the storm slab problem gets trickier, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.