Avalanche Forecast

Over the past few days, several natural and human-triggered size 1-2 loose wet avalanches were observed from steep terrain on solar aspects.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Up to 15 cm of new snow may accumulate at upper elevations by end of day Friday. This new snow overlies a sun crust on solar aspects, surface hoar up or facets in shady and wind-sheltered areas, and wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain.

The top layer of the snowpack at higher elevations is made up of 20 to 40 cm of dense, wind-affected snow. It tapers to a rain crust below 1400 m. This Top layer of snow may sit on a sun crust on solar slopes and small surface hoar in sheltered, shaded areas.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity.

Thursday night

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -4 °C. Ridge wind 10 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries, trace to 10 cm accumulation. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -3 °C. Ridge wind 10 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1300 metres.

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -1 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1500 metres.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -3 °C. Ridge wind 10 to 30 km/h from the east. Freezing level rises to 1300 metres.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
• Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.