Avalanche Forecast

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 50 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 800 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with early-morning snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 60 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1100 m.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with intermittent snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 50 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2500 m.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, 40 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Cloudy conditions limited visibility on Thursday, but it is expected that some natural wind and storm slab avalanches released during Wednesday night's storm.

Looking ahead, wind slabs will likely remain reactive to riders on Friday.

Around 10 to 20 cm of snow accumulated on Thursday. The snow fell with strong southwest wind, which likely formed wind slabs in terrain exposed to the wind. Below around 1200 m, the snow fell on a melt-freeze crust.

Two weak layers may exist. First is a layer of surface hoar that may be found around 30 cm deep. To date, this layer has produced avalanches in the centre and north of the region and not the south, though it has been found in the south. Next, a widespread layer of faceted grains is found around 30 to 60 cm deep, which formed during the cold spell in late December and early January. These layers have been most reactive in the central portion of the region.

In thin snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted grains around various melt-freeze crusts, which are considered dormant at this time.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.