Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Synopsis: There is a brief break between weather systems on Saturday before the next frontal system arrives late Saturday and into Sunday.  Saturday: Cloudy with light snow and possible sunny breaks. The freezing level is around 400 m and winds ease to moderate from the southwest. Sunday: Moderate snowfall – 10-20 cm. The freezing level is around 500 m and winds are moderate to strong from the southwest.Monday: Cloudy but drier. The freezing level remains around 500 m and winds are light from the southwest.

A natural avalanche cycle was likely on Friday in response to heavy snow and strong winds. Observations from Thursday were limited due to poor weather, but there were a few reports of easily triggered slab avalanches up to size 1.5 failing within the storm snow. Most of these slides were from below treeline elevations.

30-60 cm of new snow had fallen by Friday morning, accompanied by strong southwest winds. Deep and dense wind slabs have formed in exposed lee terrain. This new snow fell on a crust, old wind slab, and/or surface hoar depending on aspect and elevation, and may not bond well initially. Cornices that now loom over many features may become weak with continued growth and/or daytime warming. The mid and lower snowpack layers are generally well settled and strong.