Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - on Saturday

FRIDAY NIGHT: Snow tapering off in the evening with minimal accumulations overnight, light south wind, alpine temperatures drop to -3 C.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with some light isolated flurries, light south wind, alpine high temperatures around -2 C.SUNDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, light northeast wind, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate northwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

Widespread avalanche activity was reported on the North Shore mountains on Friday. Ski cutting produced numerous small (size 1) slab avalanches in the top 20 cm of snow, as well a few notable larger avalanches (up to size 2.5). Many of the avalanches showed impressive propagation, with some being triggered remotely (from a distance) and on a few occasions stepping down to a 50 cm deep crust layer (see this MIN report). Avalanches were most reactive on west and south aspects.

20-40 cm of snow from Friday has formed widespread touchy storm slabs. These slabs showed signs of bonding poorly to underlying crusts, particularly on west and south aspects. Furthermore, storm snow has been reactive above a 50 cm deep crust that was buried in early February. The snowpack is well-settled and strong below this crust.