Avalanche Forecast

No recent avalanches have been reported, but whumpfs were noticed Sunday at treeline on a north-east slope near Fraser Peak. This failure layer is suspected to be the buried surface hoar layer that produced some isolated but surprising avalanches last Wednesday.

Field observations have been limited, if you're out in the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Up to 20 cm of recent snow covers old, firm, wind-affected or crusty surfaces. Moderate to strong wind has likely formed deeper deposits of fresh, reactive wind slab on lee slopes that may not stick well to the old surface. In isolated areas, buried surface hoar may be found 20 to 40 cm deep. Below 1500 m, a thick melt-freeze crust is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. The mid-pack is generally strong and bridges the weak crystals at the base of the snowpack.

The average snowpack depth at treeline is around 200 cm.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy with isolated flurries expected. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -12 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy, 3-5 cm of new snow expected. 40 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -5 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy, 5-10 cm of new snow expected. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -3 °C

Thursday

Cloudy, 10-15 cm of new snow expected. 35 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -6 °C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.