Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Wednesday: Heavy snowfall / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 500mThursday: Heavy snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 600mFriday: Heavy snowfall Thursday evening becoming light on Friday / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 500m

On Monday numerous skier triggered and remotely triggered size 1 slab avalanches were reported in steep treeline terrain. With incoming weather I would expect ongoing touchy storm slab activity with increasing size throughout the forecast period.

Between 30 and 45cm of new snow overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Reports from the field indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong winds are likely shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. With more snow on the way, the reactivity and destructive potential of the developing storm slab should also increase. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.