Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to variable snopack conditions

Sunday: light snowfall / moderate to strong westerly winds / freezing level at surfaceMonday: Light snowfall / moderate to strong southwest winds / freezing level at surfaceTuesday: moderate snowfall / strong southwest winds / freezing level at surface

No new avalanche observations to report. Avalanche activity can be expected in the wake of Saturday's weather.

Over the week 40-60cm of snow formed soft slabs over a crust/facet/surface hoar combo. Snowfall, wind and warming on late Friday/Saturday have created a more reactive storm slab problem as dense snow now over-rides colder, lighter snow where weaknesses are more likely to endure. Deeper in the snowpack, a surface hoar layer buried in early December remains a concern, as avalanches triggered on this layer would be destructive. However, information is limited about its current reactivity. From preliminary observations, the rapid storm snow load over the past week did not cause any releases on this layer. Basal facets also exist in many parts of the region.Facets sandwiched between two firm layers in the top metre of the snowpack are being monitored in the south-east.