Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

A series of frontal systems impacting the coast will bring continued snowfall throughout the week.

Monday Overnight: Overcast to obscured skies, with rain at lower elevations and snowfall above ~1500 m, trace to 10 cm of accumulation. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing level around 1600 m.

Tuesday: Continued snowfall above ~1400 m, 1-10 cm of accumulation, rain at lower elevations. Light to moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud with light flurries. Light to moderate westerly winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy with light precipitation, 1-5 cm of new snow accumulation above 1300 m. Light to moderate westerly winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Numerous naturally triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported at treeline and above over the weekend. They occurred primarily on wind-loaded north-east aspects.

Riders may get surprised by widely propagating storm slabs that are sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar at treeline and below.

15-40 cm of recent snow and moderate southwest winds formed fresh storm slabs that have been most reactive in wind-affected terrain; especially where slabs are sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar or a sun crust.

The recent storm snow is sitting on various surfaces, including hard wind-affected snow, sun crusts on southerly slopes, and surface hoar on shady or sheltered slopes. 

The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas, with prominent crust layers 50 to 100 cm deep. No recent persistent slab avalanches have been reported on these layers.

• Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.