Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Synopsis: A frontal system will move through southern BC on Tuesday bringing moderate snow, very strong winds, and rising freezing levels. Unsettled and cooler conditions are expected in the wake of this system.  Tuesday: Moderate snow – 15-20 cm; the freezing level could jump to 1500 m; winds are very strong from the southwest. Wednesday and Thursday: Cloudy with flurries; the freezing level lowers to near valley bottom.

Several natural avalanches up to size 2.5, and skier controlled avalanches up to size 2 were reported over the weekend. A natural avalanche cycle was observed primarily on Saturday. Expect avalanche activity to increase again on Tuesday with forecast wind and snow.

Up to 70 cm of moist storm snow has fallen in the past several days. This snowfall was accompanied by generally moderate south-southwest winds, forming wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain. Below the storm snow may be a layer of surface hoar or a thin crust. There are no new snowpack tests on this layer and recent reports describe the surface hoar as being small and spotty.Deeper in the snowpack you might find a second thin surface hoar layer about 100cm down. As well, the early November rain crust now sits over 120cm down in most locations (at treeline and above) and may exist in combination with facets. Recent snowpack tests give occasional hard sudden collapse (Drops) results on the early November layer. There is potential for this layer to wake up with continued loading from snow and wind, or for storm slabs to "step down" creating a very large and destructive avalanche.