Avalanche Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Scattered flurries with 5-15 cm of snow, 50 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

SATURDAY: Flurries with another 5-15 cm of snow bringing 24 h totals to 15-30 cm, 50-70 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1700 m, treeline temperatures reach -3 C.

SUNDAY: Another frontal system delivers 15-25 cm of snow, 40-60 km/h southwest wind, freezing level drops from 1500 m to valley bottom at the end of the storm, treeline temperatures drop from -3 to -6 C.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny, 30 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -12 C.

We have no reports of avalanche activity since Wednesday's storm when there were a few reports of natural and human triggered storm slab avalanches. These slabs have likely stabilized since then, but new storm slabs will be a concern above 1500 m this weekend. Wet loose avalanches will also be possible at below treeline elevations.

A series of storms over the weekend will result in significant accumulations of snow above 1500 m. By Saturday afternoon there will be 15 to 30 cm of fresh snow and strong wind forming touchy slabs. The new snow will bury old stubborn slabs at upper elevations and a crust below treeline. Recent weather patterns have helped old persistent weak layers heal. We were previously concerned about a facet layer from the mid-February cold snap that resulted in few large cornice triggered avalanches in the first half of March (and is now 150 cm deep), but now the important avalanche problems just involve the upper snowpack.

• Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
• Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences.
• Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.
• Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.