Avalanche Forecast

During the storm earlier this week, a widespread storm slab avalanche cycle was reported to size 3. Natural activity has tapered dramatically since the end of the storm on Wednesday.

A new storm arrives with heavy snowfall and strong wind. It falls over a hefty dose of storm snow from earlier this week.

In some areas, the recent snow may have buried a layer of small surface hoar crystals over 1 m deep in sheltered terrain. A well-bonded crust may be found in the mid snowpack below 1400 m.

In general, this season's upper elevation snowpack is shaping up as the ideal coastal snowpack; deep, strong and uncomplicated. Snowpack depths in excess of 300 cm can be found at treeline elevations.

Friday night
Increasing cloud. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Saturday
Cloudy. 20 cm of snow. 80 to 100 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday
Cloudy. 15 cm of snow. 80 to 100 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1000 m.

Monday
Cloudy. 40 mm of mixed precipitation. 100 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
• As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
• Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.