Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Monday, avalanche activity reached size 2.5, with natural avalanches occurring during heavy snowfall and strong winds. Avalanches were triggered within the storm snow and on buried weak layers.

Check out this MIN report of a remotely triggered avalanche near Cranbrook. Photo below

While natural activity is expected to taper off, human triggering remains a concern.

Recent snowfall has settled to around 30 to 60 cm of new snow, with wind effect observed at higher elevations. Strong sunshine on Wednesday is expected to create moist snow on sun-exposed slopes and moist snow is also present at lower elevations due to recent warm temperatures and rain.

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January is buried 70 to 100 cm deep. This weak layer is expected to remain reactive from the heavy snowfall and warm temperatures. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.

Check out this MIN for an overview of conditions around Tunnel Creek.

Tuesday Night

Clearing skies with isolated flurries possible. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level drops to 700 m.

Wednesday

Mostly clear skies with 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 1900 m, with treeline temperatures around -1 °C.

Thursday

Clear skies. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 2200 m, with treeline temperatures around +2 °C.

Friday

Clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 2500 m, with treeline temperatures around +5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
• Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
• Travel early on sun-exposed slopes before cornices weaken with daytime warming.