Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

MONDAY NIGHT: Dry with some clear spells.TUESDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. An above freezing level layer from 1500m to 2200m is expected to give warm alpine temperatures. Light southeasterly winds.WEDNESDAY: Dry and sunny. Cooling, with alpine temperatures around -4C. Calm winds. THURSDAY: Dry and sunny. Alpine temperatures around -8C. Light southeasterly winds.

Storm slab avalanches up to size 3 continued to be reported into Sunday due to the warm and wet storm that has affected this region. Storm and wind slabs will likely remain touchy for a little while.An avalanche incident was reported in the Shames backcountry area last Thursday. The incident involved two skier triggered avalanches occurring in succession with two people involved and partially buried. The details can be found on the Mountain Information Network. (here)

Precipitation has eased since last week's warm and wet storm (up to 100 mm precipitation fell between Wednesday and Sunday, with rain as high as 1500 m). Recent new snow is likely to have blown into wind slab deposits at higher elevations. Storm slabs remain a concern on many steep slopes.In some sheltered areas the new snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches.