Avalanche Forecast

Good

An additional 5cm of new snow will likely fall before Monday morning as the cold air continues to push into the forecast area.  Winds on Monday are expected to increase into the moderate range at higher elevations out of the NW and temperatures are forecast to cool down into the -18C range in the Alpine.  Freezing levels will remain at the valley bottoms.  Winds will be a key factor to pay close attention to as lots of recent storm snow is now available for transport.

A few sz 2 natural avalanches were observed on solar aspects at treeline and above over the past 24hrs.  These slides appear to have failed on the 0312crust.  Also, lots of loose dry slides were observed in steep alpine terrain on all aspects.

Up to 35cm HN24 at treeline tapering down to 20cm at valley floors.  This snow was rapidly settling at lower elevations due to the warm temps.  Variable light (gusty to moderate) winds were creating pockets of touchy storm slabs along ridgelines lines at treeline and in open features in Alpine terrain.  There was also reverse loading on-going at higher elevations due to the NW winds.  The 0312 crust was found down 85cm on a south aspect at treeline and the 0303 crust was found down 110cm (Photo).  Easy shears can be found in the upper snowpack within the storm snow and moderate to hard sheers persist down 85 on the 0312 crust.  The 0312 crust is supportive at lower elevations which makes travel easy.  Beneath this crust the snow is moist.