Avalanche Forecast

Good

Synopsis: A series of frontal systems are expected to bring generally light precipitation to the region through the forecast period.Monday: Flurries. Freezing level around 800m. NW winds gusting to 40 km/h at ridgetop.Tuesday: 5-10 cm new snow. Freezing level around 1000m. Westerly winds gusting to 60 km/h at ridgetop.Wednesday: Flurries or light snow in the morning, dry in the afternoon. Freezing level around 600m. Light NW winds.

There were reports of loose snow avalanches on solar aspects to size 1.5 and cornice releases on northerly aspects up to size 3.

The most recent storm, which ended Friday morning, brought widely varying snowfall amounts to the region, with 30cm in the north end of the region and up to 90cm at the south end. Consistent southerly winds during the storm period built windslabs in lee terrain and helped grow cornices.Recently buried surfaces (the Feb. 3 interface) include old windslabs and sun crusts. Surface hoar might be lurking on shady, sheltered slopes around treeline elevations. The new snow is bonding reasonably well at this interface in most locations with the highest concern being the bond to crusts on south and west facing terrain. The January 23rd interface (crusts, facets and surface hoar crystals) lingers in isolated locations. This layer seems to be rounding and bonding under current conditions, but we have reports of a recent size 2.0 releasing on this layer. The mid pack is generally well settled with the average snowpack depth at treeline around 180 cm.