Avalanche Forecast

A few small to large (size 1 to 2) wind slabs were observed on Sunday, being triggered naturally and by riders. They occurred on north to east aspects and where 20 to 50 cm deep, releasing on the surface hoar and facet layer described in the Snowpack Summary.

Looking forward, snow and rain will continue to load these weak layers and increase the likelihood of triggering them.

Snow is forecast to switch to rain between Monday night and Tuesday daytime. This will load a buried weak layer of feathery surface hoar and/or sugary faceted grains. These layers may be associated with a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes.

The middle and base of the snowpack is largely weak and faceted. A hard crust may be found near the ground. Treeline snowpack depths are variable and generally range between 30 and 80 cm. Snowpack tapers rapidly as you move lower in elevation.

Monday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm snow above 2000 m and rain below. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising from 1500 m to 2500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm snow above 1800 m and rain below. Southwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 to 2000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm snow. Southwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
• Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
• Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
• If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.