Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Shore, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Tetrahedron.
Watch for rapidly changing conditions on sun affected slopes - recent storm snow may slide easily on the crust below.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Small wet avalanches were produced on Thursday. Looking forward, riders may be able to trigger wind slabs at higher elevations - above the freezing line, and wet avalanches on south facing slopes affected by strong sunshine.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm of recent (but moist) snowfall can be found sitting over a widespread crust. Reports indicate that the new snow is bonding well with the old snow surface. Wind effect can be found at higher elevations, with deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes.
Strong sunshine on Saturday is expected to create wet surface conditions on all south facing slopes.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clear skies with no snow or rain. Freezing level remains around 1500 m overnight. 10-20 km/h northeast winds.
Saturday
Sunny with a few afternoon clouds. 10-20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level steady around 1600 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind, with strong gusts at higher elevations around 60 km/h. Freezing level begins the day at 1600 m and rises to 3000 m by afternoon, bringing treeline temperatures to +12 °C.
Monday
Sunny with 60 km/h northwest winds. Freezing levels remain around 3000 m with treeline temperatures near +12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches are most likely on steep, sun affected slopes. Avalanches may initiate easily on the smooth crust below.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Wind Slabs
Watch for small but reactive pockets of wind slabs on north facing terrain features. Slabs sit over a crust and while reports suggest new snow is bonding well, greatest reactivity is likely to be found in wind affected features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5