Avalanche Forecast

Over the past few days several avalanches have been triggered at treeline and below on the layer of facets formed during the recent period of arctic air. Triggers have included vehicle remotes, skier remotes, naturals and explosives. These avalanches have generally ranged in size from 1 to 2.

wind slabs could be found on all aspects in the alpine and treeline, below treeline cross loading will likely be found in all coastal inlets due to recent outflow. At treeline a new surface hoar layer from late December is just below the surface. A new crust exists on or near the surface below 1000m.

40 to 70cm overlies a layer formed during the previous period of arctic air. In the alpine this layer is generally facetsbut surface hoar could be found. At treeline it is more likely to find surface hoar at this interface in sheltered terrain.

A layer of surface hoar and facets from early December can be found down 70 to 100cm. recently this layer has not been reactive but still produces sudden results in snowpack tests.

Saturday Night

Cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. Light to moderate westerly winds and a low of -4 at 1500m.

Sunday

Cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected. Moderate to strong south winds. Possible temperature inversion with a high of -1 at 1500m and -6 at 700m.

Monday

Stormy with 5 to 15cm of new snow expected. Moderate southerly winds and a high of -2 at 1500m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected. Light easterly winds and a high of -4 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.