Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Thursday saw many small (size 1) wet loose avalanches on all aspects and mostly in the alpine. Explosives triggered a few large (size 2) avalanches on northerly alpine slopes, likely releasing in the shallower weak layer described in the Snowpack Summary.

Large loads, such as cornice failures, continue to be the most likely trigger for persistent slab avalanches.

Around 10 to 15 cm of dry snow may be found on high elevation north aspects, with potentially deeper deposits in immediate lee terrain due to recent southwest wind. Elsewhere, a hard melt-freeze crust is likely found on the snow surface, which may soften with daytime warming. Monday's storm will build on top of these surfaces and likely form new slabs in lee terrain.

At alpine and treeline elevations, a layer of surface hoar that formed in early March may be found around 70 to 120 cm deep. A layer of facetted grains and a crust that formed mid-February may be found 120 to 200 cm deep.

The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.