Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Thursday

THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / Light moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1500mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1200mSATURDAY: Flurries / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -1 / Freezing level 1400m

Several thin wind slab avalanches in steep lee loaded exposed terrain were reported on Monday and Tuesday in the north of the region. One report of a cornice collapse in the south of the region on Sunday that resulted in a slab avalanche.

Steady light snowfalls over the last week have accumulated 40-60cm of new snow in the region. Freezing levels to 2000m or higher and intermittent sun over the same time period created a variety of  thin crust layers within the upper snowpack at lower elevations and on solar aspects. A thick rain crust forming in Mid-March up to the 2100m elevation is down 50-80cm below the surface. In the north of the region, the February persistent weak layers may still be found and are down 100-140cm. They include a buried surface hoar layer as well as a crust/facet layer. In the southern parts of the region, the mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.