Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light northwest wind, freezing level drops to 1200 m with treeline temperatures dropping to -4 C.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny in the morning then increasing cloud in the afternoon, 30-40 km/h northwest wind, freezing level around 2200 m with treeline temperatures reaching +2 C.

THURSDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries bringing trace amounts of snow, light north wind, freezing level drops to valley bottom with treeline temperatures dropping to -8 C.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy skies, light wind, freezing level climbs to 1800 m with treeline temperatures reaching -2 C.

There have been no reports since the weekend. There was a natural cycle of size 1-3 wet loose avalanches on sun-exposed slopes during a period of above freezing temperatures between Thursday and Saturday. There were also some size 3 wet slab avalanches observed in the McBride area.

You can still expect wet loose avalanches and cornice falls on Wednesday, but they will be less widespread and destructive than they were over the weekend due to the relatively cooler temperatures and thicker surface crusts. 

A surface crust will form overnight and then gradually break down with daytime warming. Dry snow may still be found in high north-facing terrain (above roughly 2300 m). While there have been no recent avalanches on buried weak layers, there are a few layers that could potentially be triggered during periods of intense warming or by a heavy cornice fall. This includes a few crusts buried over the last month as well as a 150 cm deep facet layer from the mid-February cold snap.

• Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.