Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

A relatively weak storm system is expected to impact the region Wednesday night and Thursday morning. A break is then expected before the next system arrives Friday afternoon. 

Wednesday night: Snowfall 5-10 cm, strong SW wind, freezing level around 1000 m. 

Thursday: Snowfall 5-10 cm, strong SW wind, freezing level reaching around 1200 m. 

Friday and Friday night: Snowfall beginning in the afternoon 15-30 cm, moderate to strong SW wind, freezing level reaching around 1200 m. 

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate variable wind, freezing level reaching around 1000 m. 

No new avalanche observations have been reported since explosive control work on Sunday produced wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5. 

On Tuesday, the Avalanche Canada field team MIN report included evidence of wind distribution and potential wind slab formation in the alpine. Wind slabs are expected to continue to be a concern on Thursday at higher elevations with the forecast calling for new snow and strong wind. 

Prior to Thursday's storm, 15-20 cm of recent snowfall had been redistributed by wind at upper elevations forming reactive wind slabs. The recent snow appears to be bonding well to a widespread melt-freeze crust found across the region. This underlying crust is thickest at low elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, and may not exist on high elevation north aspects. The snowpack is considered strong and well-bonded below this crust. 

Below treeline, snowpack depths are below threshold for avalanches in many areas.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.