Avalanche Forecast

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Thursday night: Snow turning to rain, 5-10 mm accumulation, moderate to strong west wind, freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Friday: 5-15 mm rain, strong southwest wind, freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday: 30 mm rain overnight then clearing, light west wind, freezing level dropping to 1000 m.

Sunday: Clear, moderate southwest wind, freezing level 1800 m.

Small loose wet avalanches up to size 1 were observed on south to west aspects on Wednesday afternoon. Small loose wet activity may be observed on all aspects as rain saturates the snowpack over the next couple of days.

Our eyes and ears in the mountains are limited at this time of year and may continue this winter due to fewer professional observations. If you see anything while out in the field, please consider sharing it with us and fellow recreationists via the Mountain Information Network (MIN). Even just a photo of where you went is helpful. A big thank you to those that have already shared their observations thus far.

Rainfall saturates the upper snowpack on all but the tops of the tallest peaks in the region. Above 1400 m, up to 25 cm may accumulate through the day Friday amid strong west winds, forming wind slabs in lee features.

Snowpack depth rapidly changes with elevation. The snowline has been reported to be around 900 m. The snowpack rapidly jumps to around 100 cm deep above 1000 m and between 150 to 200 cm near the mountain tops.

Numerous melt-freeze crusts and ice layers exists in the snowpack and reports indicate that the surrounding snow is well-bonded to them.

• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.