Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Tuesday: Light snowfall / Light northwest wind / Freezing level at 900mWednesday: Light snowfall/ Light west winds / Freezing level at 900mThursday: Light to locally moderate snowfall/  Moderate south winds / Freezing level at 800m

On Sunday a skier remotely triggered a size 2 slab avalanche from 40 metres away. The avalanche, which occurred on a north aspect at 2000m, failed on the February 12 surface hoar. On Monday numerous deep size 2 avalanches were triggered off small rolls in a popular sledding area. These avalanches were also triggered on the February 12th surface hoar. These events speak to the touchy nature of the persistent avalanche problem. I would expect human triggering at this deep persistent interface to be a very real possibility throughout the week.

Moderate to locally heavy snowfall on Sunday adds to ongoing potent storm instabilities which seem to be most reactive as a wind slab in exposed terrain or as loose snow in more sheltered areas. A weak surface hoar layer which was buried on February 12th now exists up to a metre below the surface in many places. The touchy and destructive nature of this persistent weakness remains a primary concern for professionals in the region. This interface has also shown reactivity on southerly aspects where a sun crust also exists. The mid to lower snowpack are generally strong and well settled. I anticipate significant cornice growth with the current weather pattern, and expect them to be weak and potentially destructive.