Avalanche Forecast

High

No new avalanches were reported before 4pm on Saturday.

Recent avalanche activity has been limited to wind slab avalanches to size 1.5 in alpine terrain.

Surface snow is expected to be moist or refrozen below 1000m. In terrain sheltered from the wind, 10-40 cm of recent snow overlies a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals buried on January 9th. Below 1000 m and on slopes facing the sun, this new snow overlies a thin crust. In wind exposed terrain, recent southerly wind and light amounts of snow have fed wind slab formation in lee terrain features near ridges.

Weak layers that were reactive over the Christmas and New Year's period have shown signs of bonding and gaining strength. These include a surface hoar layer buried on Dec 28 found 40 to 60 cm deep and a facet layer buried on Dec 23 found 60 to 100 cm deep.

Saturday Night

Cloudy. 2-5 cm of snow expected, heavier and rainier near the coast. Snow/rain line between 500 and 1000 m. Light to moderate south wind.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Light south winds. Freezing level ~1250 m, falling to ~750 m through the day.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow overnight and 0-2 through the day. Light south wind. Freezing level rising to 750 m through the day.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 2-10 cm of snow overnight and another 10-15 through the day. The bigger numbers are forecasted to be further south, and closer to the coast. Moderate to strong southeast wind. Snow/rain line between 250 and 500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Exercise caution on steep, unsupported slopes.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.