Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Sunday night: Cloudy, moderate winds shift from the southwest to northwest with strong gusts in the alpine, light flurries may bring up to 5 cm of new snow, treeline low temperature near -5 C, freezing level drops to 600 m.

Monday: Cloudy with sunny breaks, isolated flurries with trace accumulations, moderate northwest winds, treeline high temperatures near -3 C, freezing level rising to 800 m. 

Tuesday: Clearing skies, no precipitation expected, moderate northwest winds with strong gusts in the alpine, treeline high temperatures near -4 C, freezing level rising to 800 m.

Wednesday: Increasing cloudiness, moderate northwest winds, treeline high temperatures near -3 C, freezing level rising to 500 m. 

Avalanches in the recent snow may remain possible to trigger on Monday.

Observations remain limited. If you head out into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

On Sunday, the mountains picked up 25-45 cm of new snow. A brief period of rain Saturday night may have promoted a better bond at the new snow interface at lower elevations. However, in sheltered areas at upper elevations, surface hoar may still be preserved. If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information. Closely monitor the bond of the new snow to the crust and stay alert to changing conditions as you gain elevation.

Strong southwest winds are forecast to shift to northwest overnight. Anticipate more reactive and larger slabs as you move into wind-exposed terrain on a variety of aspects. These slabs will be most reactive during their formation. 

Below the recent snow, a thick and supportive crust extends to mountain top. Below this crust, snow is moist down 30-50 cm where several old crusts are now breaking down. The middle and base of the snowpack are well settled and strong. Below treeline, the snowpack has receded back to marginal levels with many hazards present. 

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
• Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.