Avalanche Forecast

Yesterday a large natural avalanche cycle occurred. Numerous wind slab avalanches, up to size 3, were reported throughout the region. These avalanches mostly occurred on lee slopes or lee features. 

Explosive control work in the north of the region produced numerous slab avalanches, up to size 3. One of these avalanches was reported to have failed on buried surface hoar, 50 cm deep.

Near Stewart, several natural wet loose avalanches were reported at low elevations.

Approximately 20 to 45 cm of new snow has been redistributed by strong south and southwesterly alpine winds. Recent snow may have buried a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals. Another layer of buried surface hoar may exist deeper in the snowpack, roughly 50 to 90 cm below the surface.

The remaining mid and lower snowpack contains several crusts from early in the season that are generally well-bonded to the surrounding snowpack.

Currently, the height of snow is highly variable and decreases significantly at lower elevations.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 30 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -12°C.

Friday

Cloudy, with 2 to 20 cm of snow possible, southwest alpine winds 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature around -2°C, freezing level rising to 700 m at Shames and 1000 m at Mt Claugue. 

Saturday

Partly cloudy with trace amounts of snow possible, variable direction alpine winds 10 - 20 km/h, treeline temperature around -8°C, freezing level returns to valley bottom at Shames. 

Sunday

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature around -8°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.