Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Friday: Light snowfall during the day intensifying to moderate in the late afternoon / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 1000mSaturday: Light snowfall / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at 1200mSunday: Possible sunny breaks / Light northeast winds / Freezing level at 1200m

Avalanche observations have been limited in the last few days; however, 2 explosives controlled size 2.5 slab avalanches were reported from the Duffey Lake area. They occurred on a north facing alpine slope and ran 1000-1400m.

Moderate to locally heavy amounts of snow fell on Wednesday. At lower elevations rain continued to saturate the snowpack. The storm was accompanied by moderate to strong south/southwest winds which left variable snow distribution in exposed areas near ridgetop with dense wind slabs forming in lee and cross-loaded features. Up to 75cm below the surface you will likely find a melt-freeze crust from last week's sunny weather. At the same interface, you may also find spotty surface hoar on some high, north facing slopes. Cornices are very large and could pop off with continued mild temperatures.