Avalanche Forecast

Moderate -

THURSDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm / west winds 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature near -11FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / west winds 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature near -10SATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / northwest winds 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -10SUNDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / northwest winds, 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -7

No new avalanches have been reported in the region over the past few days, but observations in neighbouring regions have shown small (size 1) wind slabs reacting to skier traffic at upper elevations. Avalanche activity on the mid January persistent weak layer has tapered off, however test results still suggest that this layer could be triggered by humans in isolated terrain features such as steep cutblocks, and large, steep, open glades. This weak layer has become a low likelihood/high consequence scenario. Check out a recent MIN report from Allen Creek here that illustrates this.

5-10 cm of new snow sits on wind slabs, facets (sugary snow), and surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust on sun exposed slopes. The buried wind slabs are also sitting on facets and they may continue to be reactive. At lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-60 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline. The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.