Avalanche Forecast

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Temperatures remain cool over the weekend with little snowfall expected.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries possible, 1-5 cm. Freezing levels drop to 500 m overnight. Moderate west-northwest winds. 

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries of up to 5 cm in localised areas. Freezing levels rise to 800 m. Moderate westerly winds.

SUNDAY: Clearing skies with scattered flurries possible. Freezing levels rise to around 900 m. Light easterly winds. 

MONDAY: Mostly clear skies with light and variable winds. No precipitation expected. Freezing levels reach 1000 m. 

No new avalanches were reported on Thursday. Wet avalanche activity is expected to have occurred yesterday on solar aspects during the afternoon, and on all aspects where rain affected the snowpack overnight. Avalanche activity is expected to decrease from the drop in freezing levels. 

Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network. 

10-20 cm of new snow can be found at high elevations, sitting over a melt freeze crust or moist snow. Strong southwest winds have likely redistributed this storm snow into pockets of wind loading on north and east facing slopes. 

A widespread and supportive melt freeze crust is buried 60-110 cm deep, below recent settling storm snow. Recent tests suggest that this crust is bonding well to the snow above it. 

 

Lower elevations will likely hold wet surface snow that will form a crust as temperatures cool. The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.