Avalanche Forecast

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

In general, the weekend’s storm is forecast to hit the northern part of the region (near Revelstoke) most heavily, with progressively less snow as you go south. Freezing levels will climb the highest in the south. Weather will be very variable across the region, so avalanche danger will correspondingly be variable.Saturday: Moderate snow (~15-35cm), with highest amounts in the north and west. Freezing level gradually rising to around 1500m. Strong westerly winds.Sunday: Freezing level continuing to rise, peaking at about 1700m. Moderate precipitation (~15-35mm), with highest amounts in the north and west. Strong westerly winds.Monday: A cold front brings moderate to heavy precipitation with the freezing level dropping to valley bottom overnight as the front departs.

Many avalanches have been triggered remotely (from several hundred metres away) and accidentally by skiers and machinery this week. These avalanches are failing on upper snowpack persistent and storm snow weaknesses, on almost all aspects and elevations. Natural avalanche activity is likely to increase again this weekend with incoming weather.

Snow is falling with strengthening winds and rising temperatures, creating a nice recipe for new storm slab and wind slab instabilities. Widespread persistent weak layers buried in February, which have remained touchy and unpredictable all week, are a key concern at all elevations. Storm slabs, sluffs or a person could easily trigger these deeper weaknesses. Avalanches may be larger than you expect, given the amount of fresh snow. Large cornices also loom as potential triggers for deep avalanches.