Avalanche Forecast

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Friday night: 20-80 mm of rain. Extreme southwest wind. Freezing level 1800 m.

Saturday: Wet flurries bringing up to 5 mm water equivalent in the morning as freezing level drops. Clearing skies. Wind easing to moderate northwest. Freezing level 700 m.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing up to 5 cm new snow. Light to moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 400 m.

Monday: Mix of sun and cloud. Up to 5 cm new snow overnight. Light northwest wind. Freezing level 300 m.

Avalanche activity from Friday has not yet been reported.

Storm slabs may exist in the high alpine and where snow accumulated after freezing levels peaked and began to drop toward the tail end of the storm. It will likely be dense, wind pressed and well adhered to old surfaces. At lower elevations, the saturated snowpack will start to refreeze from the surface down with dropping temperatures and clearing skies Saturday morning. A dusting of new snow may sit on top of the crust. Once refrozen, the snowpack will resemble one burly block with little avalanche potential, 150-250 cm deep around the peaks of the north shore mountains. 

• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.