Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Synopsis: The ridge of high pressure has long overstayed its welcome. Thankfully it makes its exodus from the province opening the door to strong zonal flow that should deliver one storm after another this week. Game on.Monday: Freezing Level: 600m; Precip: 5/10 cm Wind: Light, SWMonday Night: Wind: Light SW | Strong/Extreme W/SW at ridgetop.Tuesday: Freezing Level: 900m; Precip: 5/10 cm Wind: Light/Mod SW | Strong W/SW at ridgetop.Wednesday: Freezing Level: 1000m; Precip: 15/20 cm Wind: Moderate SW | Strong/Extreme SW at ridgetop.

The quantity of small wind slabs being triggered has dropped off in the last few days, but we continue to receive reports of isolated rider triggered wind slabs averaging size 1 from all aspects at and above treeline.

Snow totals from the last pulse on Wednesday (140129) range from 5 - 20 cm with the greatest accumulations in the south of the region. This snow is faceting quickly in the cold temps. In wind exposed terrain, especially in the alpine, winds continue to form shallow wind slabs that are most prevalent immediately lee of ridgecrest. These variable wind slabs should stick around a bit longer than we're accustomed to as they are resting on a weak layer composed of large grained surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above.Most of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. However, in thinner snowpack areas a facet/crust weakness may exist near the bottom of the snowpack. The depth of this layer makes human triggering unlikely, but the consequences of doing so could be disastrous.