Avalanche Forecast

High - Due to the number and quality of field observations

FRIDAY: Unsettled weather with flurries bringing 5-10 cm of snow, moderate south wind, alpine temperature around -3 C.SATURDAY: More flurries with another 10-15 cm, strong south wind, alpine temperature around -6 C.SUNDAY: Lingering flurries, moderate southeast wind, alpine temperature around -6 C.

No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday, but reports from Tuesday indicate the persistent slab problem is alive and well throughout the region. A few natural size 2-2.5 avalanches were triggered in the Bear Pass / Stewart area by solar input and cornices. A skier also remotely triggered a size 2 avalanche on the February facet/crust interface on a moraine feature around 1150 m (40 cm deep). Similar activity was reported the previous day, including a size 3 avalanche that was remotely triggered from flat terrain by a snowmobiler north of Stewart.In addition to the ongoing persistent slab problem, the incoming weather pattern is looking to continually build fresh wind slabs.

Fresh wind slabs and cornices are forming in the lee of exposed terrain as unsettled weather brings small amounts of new snow and moderate winds. Recent warming and sun have likely left a crust on solar aspects and below 1000 m. Snow may still be poorly bonded to a 40 cm deep crust and surface hoar interface from mid-March, however, the late-February interface has been the more troublesome persistent layer. It's composed of facets, crust, and surface hoar roughly 50-100 cm deep and is still reactive throughout the region, especially in shallower areas around Stewart and Bear Pass.