Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

Monday night: Mostly dry, light flurries possible. Winds light, northwesterly.

Tuesday: Dry during the day. Treeline temperatures around -9 C. Winds light northwesterly.

Wednesday: 2-5 cm new snow. Treeline temperatures around -8 C. Winds light southerly.

Thursday: 5-10 cm snow ending in the morning. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Winds light southwesterly.

A couple of skier triggered size 1 avalanches were reported over the weekend, a wind loaded pocket below a roll-over (here) and isolated loose dry sluffs in the new snow.

Many storm and persistent slab avalanches were observed last week across the region. They were generally large (size 2), on west, north, and east aspects, 20 to 70 cm thick, and between 2000 and 2300 m. Although avalanche activity appears to have diminished, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of seeing more persistent slab avalanches.

5-15 cm of recent snow sits over surface hoar in wind sheltered areas. Lingering wind slabs formed last week may remain reactive on a variety of aspects due to shifting winds.

Two weak layers are buried in close proximity to one another, around 50 to 80 cm deep. The layers are composed of feathery surface hoar and sugary faceted grains and they overly a hard melt-freeze crust. Last week saw substantial avalanche activity on these layers from natural and human triggers. Although reports of such avalanches have been dwindling, these weak layers remain a concern, as they can produce large and destructive avalanches.

• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.
• Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.