Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Friday: The temperature inversion is expected to break down bringing alpine temperatures back to normal with freezing levels in valley bottoms. Cloud cover should increase throughout the day with light southwesterly winds, but no precipitation is expected. Saturday: Cloudy with very light snow flurries and light southwesterly winds. Temperatures gradually cooling with freezing levels remaining in valley bottoms. Sunday: 10-15cm of snow is expected throughout the day with associated moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing levels should remain in valley bottoms.

We have received limited reports of pin-wheeling and small loose snow avalanches releasing on steep, sunny aspects during afternoon warming. Another report includes a 1m deep Size 3 slab avalanche that released from a Northwest facing alpine slope during the storm early last week, likely running on the October crust. If you've been out in the mountains and observed recent avalanche activity, please report it to [email protected]

Snow depth is typically 80-110cm at treeline with 60 to 70cm of well settled snow sitting on the October crust located just above the ground. Little is known about the bond to this crust; however, limited reports suggest that it is currently well bonded. The snow surface on sun exposed alpine slopes, and all slopes below treeline, has been subject to daily melt-freeze cycles. Large surface hoar has also formed on all aspects. Although it has been melting on south aspects during the day, it has likely been regrowing overnight. If you are traveling in the mountains, now is a good time to make note of these surface conditions which may become persistent weak layers once buried by a sufficiently cohesive slab.