Avalanche Forecast

A natural avalanche cycle up to size 3.5 occurred over the weekend with avalanches running full path far into run outs. At the time of writing avalanche control planned for Sunday afternoon is expected to produce numerous large avalanches along the hwy corridor.

Regionally several human triggered avalanches have been reported failing on the Feb 3rd crust. This widespread layer promotes wide propagation and gives an excellent sliding surface for avalanches to run on.

50cm of new snow has fallen and been redistributed by strong southerly winds. Below this, the upper snowpack consists of well settled snow, thin sun crusts on steep solar aspects, and the faceted drought layer over the Feb 3rd crust (which is widespread below 2500m).

The mid to lower snowpack is well settled, except in isolated areas of the alpine where an unusually thin & faceted snowpack exists.

A break between storms will give calmer conditions. Precip and winds will ease off and temps will drop with close to valley bottom freezing levels (FZL) before the next major weather maker arrives on Wednesday.

Tonight: Flurries up to 7cm, strong W winds, low -14°C, FZL at valley bottom

Mon: Flurries, trace new snow, light W winds, low -17°C, FZL 500m

Tues: Sun & cloud, moderate SW winds, low -20°C, FZL at valley bottom

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.