Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

SATURDAY NIGHT: Passing frontal system will bring 5-10 cm of new snow with strong southwest winds.SUNDAY: Light flurries easing off throughout the day, moderate southwest winds, alpine temperatures around -4 CMONDAY: Chinook conditions, cloudy with sunny breaks with possible flurries in the southeast part of the region, strong west winds, freezing level around 1900 m.TUESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods, moderate southwest winds, freezing level around 2100 m.

On Saturday, several loose wet avalanches were reported from steep solar aspects and a size 2 wind slab was reported on a windloaded ridge crest. On Thursday, explosive avalanche control along the White River (in the northwest corner of the region) produced over 10 deep persistent slab avalanches releasing on basal facets. Most of the avalanches were size 3, included several than ran full path to valley bottom taking out mature forest and blocking the river with up to 8 m of debris. An older size 2 natural avalanche failing on basal facets was also reported in the Crossing Creek area.New snow will form fresh storm slabs on Sunday, while warming and loading may stress deeper weaknesses and create the potential for large destructive avalanches.

Warm temperatures from an alpine inversion have rapidly settled the most recent 20-30 cm of storm snow. March has delivered regular storms with roughly 50-90 cm of snow sitting above crust and facet interfaces from February. In some areas the snow above these interfaces may have a poor bond. The mid-pack in this region is generally strong, but the bottom third of the snowpack is composed of weak sugary facets roughly 1-1.5 metres deep. This remains a concern and should be on your radar, especially with the recent loading and upcoming warming.