Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

A storm impacts the coast Sunday which should start to erode the ridge of high pressure that has been plaguing the province for the last week. A bit of snow may venture into the region Sunday with potential for another wee storm Tuesday night into Wednesday. SATURDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, moderate southwest wind in the alpine, no significant precipitation expected.SUNDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, moderate southwest wind in the alpine with potential for some strong wind at the end of the day, trace of precipitation possible during the day, potential for 2 to 8 cm of snow Sunday night.MONDAY: Overcast, freezing level at valley bottom, light west/southwest wind, trace of precipitation possible.TUESDAY: Overcast, freezing level near valley bottom, strong southwest wind in the alpine, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible during the day, potential for 3 to 10 cm of snow Tuesday night.

No new avalanches have been reported in the region.

The snowpack is generally stable right now, but there is a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and sun crust on steeper south facing slopes. This layer is down 30-50 cm. The surface hoar is most prominent at treeline. Recent snowpack tests in the region suggest that this layer may be most problematic where the surface hoar is sitting on the sun crust. This combination will most likely be found on steep south facing terrain at treeline.At the base of the snowpack is a crust that formed in late October. Steep, rocky, alpine terrain with a shallow snowpack are the most likely areas to trigger this layer. It would likely take a large load such as a cornice fall to produce an avalanche on this layer.