Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

TUESDAY: Increasing cloud throughout the day with isolated flurries and trace amounts of new snow, light west wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.THURSDAY: Cloudy, light wind with moderate gusts, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

On Sunday, a few size 2 natural avalanches were reported on north and east aspects in the Howsons. A few large (up to size 3) cornices failed on east-facing slopes and triggered slabs on the very steep slopes below.A MCR report from the Howsons (see here) reports widespread wind slab activity (size 1-2) during the peak of the storm last week and a decrease in activity by the weekend. A similar cycle of natural wind slab avalanches was also reported north of Hazelton. Although wind slab activity has declined, human-triggering remains possible.

Moderate to strong outflow winds have redistributed 50-70 cm of recent storm snow in exposed areas. This storm snow has buried old, hard wind affected snow in exposed areas as well as sun crusts or dry facets in sheltered terrain.A crust/surface hoar layer buried mid-January is now roughly 80-140 cm below the surface, and still has the potential to be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like cornice fall.Facets at the base of the snowpack could also possibly be triggered from shallow snowpack areas.