Avalanche Forecast

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

A weak storm pulse is expected to bring 2-4mm of precipitation on Saturday. Freezing levels are expected to be around 2000m or higher and alpine winds are forecast to be strong from the southwest. A bit of a break is expected Saturday afternoon or evening before a second storm system arrives Saturday overnight. 4-8mm of precipitation is expected by midday Sunday with freezing levels around 2300m and strong southerly winds in the alpine. Sunday afternoon and Monday are currently forecast to be dry and sunny.

No new avalanches were observed on Thursday. On Wednesday, two natural size 1.5 storm slabs were reported from the north of the region. These were 30cm thick and released on an southeast-east aspect in the alpine. A natural size 1.5 loose dry avalanche was also reported in the north from an east aspect gully feature in the alpine. In the southeast of the region, several size 1 wind slabs were ski cut on north through east aspects at 1800-2100m elevation. These were 10-30cm thick on steep leeward features around ridge crests. Ongoing strong southwest winds are expected to continue to build wind slabs in leeward features in the alpine on Saturday. Cornices are expected to become weak with daytime warming and sun.

15-25cm of recent storm snow with strong southwest winds have formed wind slabs in leeward features. The recent snowfall may overlie a sun crust on steep solar aspects or small surface hoar in isolated sheltered areas. The recent wind has also formed large cornices which are expected to become weak with the forecast warming and sun. Old weak layers can still be found in the snowpack but these layers are reported to be well bonded and triggering has become unlikely.