Avalanche Forecast

Low

Some loose wet natural activity has been reported at lower elevations. A natural avalanche cycle is expected Saturday night and human triggering will be a serious concern for Sunday.

An uncertain 20 - 40 cm of wet, heavy new snow may accumulate by end of day Sunday, adding to 20 cm of similarly upside-down storm snow that has fallen with variable wind. In sheltered terrain this new snow may overlie a problematic layer of faceted snow or surface hoar. In exposed terrain it may have been blown away to expose the underlying crust.

In the Manning Park area there has been less new snow and significantly less wind.

A crust from December is buried 80 to 140 cm deep, with facets around it in shallow snowpack areas. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is strong and bonded.

Saturday night

Cloudy with 20 - 50 mm of mixed precipitation producing a possible 10 - 30 cm of alpine snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1700 m - 1900 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 - 15 mm of mixed precipitation bringing up to 10 cm of alpine snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1700 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud after 15 to 25 mm of mixed precipitation overnight produces 5 - 15 cm of alpine snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m in the afternoon.

Tuesday

Cloudy with scattered wet flurries bringing 5 - 10 cm of new snow, including overnight, greatest in the alpine. 40 - 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
• Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.