Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

WEDNESDAY: flurries overnight partly cloudy through the day, moderate southwesterly winds, -4 to -6C at 1500m. THURSDAY: flurries, moderate to strong southwesterly winds, 800m freezing level 800m. FRIDAY: light snow overnight and through the day (up to 10cm possible), moderate southerly winds, freezing level between 1200m and 1500m.

Isolated wind slab avalanches were reported over the last couple of days. In the north of the region, a small natural avalanche that stepped down to the early January surface hoar on Sunday is a good reminder that this layer needs to remain a concern. Deeply buried persistent weak layers in the alpine also woke up in the north of the region over the weekend when several large avalanches released on basal facets. This weak layer was reported to be reactive to skier triggering from thin spots, as well as heavy triggers such as a smaller avalanches or cornice failures.

Alpine areas are reported to be widely wind effected with wind pressed surfaces found in exposed areas and a mixture of hard and soft slabs present in lee features. A thin crust may cap moist snow at or just below the surface at lower elevations and on slopes that see direct sun. The upper snow pack is reported to be bonding well to a crust buried on February 12th, now 40 to 80cm down, that extends up to around 2000m. The early January surface hoar can be typically be found between 60 and 140cm down.  Although it is getting harder to trigger this layer it remains a concern.  Shallow snowpack areas also have a weak base layer of facetted snow just above the ground.