Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack. Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Friday Overnight: Light snowfall, trace accumulation. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Alpine temperatures around -25 C.

Saturday: Snowing, up to 5cm accumulation. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Alpine temperatures rising to -20 C. Heavier snowfall overnight, with up to 20cm of accumulation.

Sunday: Light snowfall, up to 5 cm accumulation. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing levels rising to 1700m in the afternoon. 

Monday: Partially cloudy, isolated flurries. Moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels 500-1000m.

Observations have been limited due to the cold conditions. If you are out in the mountains, let us know what you see by filling out a Mountain Information Network report! 

Snowfall and southwest winds will build fresh, reactive wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine and treeline throughout the day.

These fresh wind slabs overlie a previously wind affected surface comprised of old hard wind slabs, sastrugi, and areas stripped back to the ground or old crusts. Near surface faceting above the old surface may increase the reactivity of newly formed wind slabs.

A crust that was formed at treeline elevations and below in early December has been reported in parts of this region. It can be found down 50-100 cm. There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer. While the layer is now dormant in the region, a large amount of new snow or warming temperatures have the potential to wake it up, and wind slab avalanches may still have the potential to step down to this layer in isolated areas. 

The base of the snowpack is composed of crusts and weak faceted grains, particularly in thin snowpack areas east of the divide. 

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
• The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.