Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Storm slabs formed throughout the day yesterday were reactive to skiers where the new snow has not bonded well to the large surface hoar layer.

On Saturday, several size 1 to 1.5 storm slabs were skier-triggered, and a size 2 was remotely triggered in the Fernie area. Avalanche activity is expected to continue and possibly increase in size as flurries continue and winds pick up.

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20 to 25 cm of new snow has buried a surface hoar layer that has been growing on various surfaces of wind-pressed snow, sun crust, and facets.

The snowpack is shallow and faceted, with depths of 60 to 80 cm at treeline and the upper end of below treeline. Below this snowpack depths taper quickly.

Saturday Night

Cloudy with flurries continuing, bringing total storm accumulations to 15 to 20 cm. Southwest alpine wind 15 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries, bringing 4 to 8 cm of new snow. Southwest wind 25 to 35 km/h, increasing throughout the day. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with flurries, light accumulation. Southwest wind 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, snow turning to rain,10 to 25 cm accumulation. Southwest wind 30 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.