Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

A cold front approaches from the north, bringing light snowfall and cold temperatures.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with strong westerly winds. Freezing levels drop to valley bottom. Isolated flurries possible. 

MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with moderate westerly winds. Flurries bring 3-10cm to eastern slopes. Freezing levels reach 1300 m. Alpine high of -4. 

TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, with light northeast winds. Freezing levels below valley bottom. Alpine high of -10. 

WEDNESDAY: Mostly clear with moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels below valley bottom. Alpine high of -10. 

On Saturday strong sun and warm temperatures produced wet avalanches on all aspects.

Explosive control work produced size 1.5 slab avalanches within the storm snow. Natural and human triggering was last observed in the storm snow on Friday. 

Strong northwest winds will redistribute recent storm snow onto south and east facing slopes. Wind loaded pockets will build over a sun crust on south-facing slopes. A layer of surface hoar may exist in sheltered terrain features.

Lower elevations have seen warm temperatures last week and have a melt freeze crust on the surface (below 1800 m near Revelstoke and below 1500 m near Blue River).

The late February weak layer combination of crust, facets and surface hoar is buried up to 40cm deep, and has been reactive mostly on south facing slopes during periods of sun. There is some uncertainty about whether this interface will be reactive as temperatures cool.  

Two persistent weak layers from mid February and mid January are buried 50-100cm deep. These have shown limited reactivity recently, and reports suggest they are strengthening. 

• Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.