Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Overnight and Saturday: Moderate westerly winds overnight and light to moderate precipitation. Heavy precipitation and strong southwest winds during the day. Freezing level rising to about 1800 metres.Sunday: Continued strong southwest winds and moderate to heavy precipitation. Freezing level rising to 2000 metres.Monday: Freezing level dropping overnight to about 1000 metres. Winds becoming light northwesterly as the precipitation ends in the morning.

Natural storm slab avalanches were reported to be widespread across the region up to size 2.5. There were several skier controlled or accidentally triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5. Explosives released storm slabs up to size 3.0, and one remotely triggered avalanche stepped down to the weak layer of basal facets near the ground (down 250 cm) on a North aspect in the alpine. Expect natural avalanche activity to continue over the weekend.

Up to 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs at higher elevations. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Forecast snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 80 and 180cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, it remains sensitive to remote triggers in isolated terrain and may see a significant "wake-up", particularly with the increased load of the new snow and forecast rain. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.