Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with clear periods. Alpine temperatures near -16C. Ridgetop winds moderate gusting strong to extreme from the northeast. SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries in evening, trace accumulation. Alpine temperatures near -14C. Ridgetop winds moderate gusting strong from the east.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud.. Alpine temperatures near -15C. Ridgetop winds moderate gusting strong from the east.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -16C. Ridgetop winds moderate from the east.

No new avalanches have been reported in the region, however winds have begun affecting snow at treeline and above. Following the 20 cm new snow overnight Wednesday, skiers reported developing wind slabs, whumpfing, and shooting cracks on Thursday and Friday.Our most recent avalanche observations are from Monday. They showed small (size 1) wind slabs releasing naturally from steep, wind loaded pockets in the Howson range.Numerous avalanches were triggered by skiers and naturally within the recent storm snow on the weekend. Check out this MIN report describing widespread slab activity.

Up to 20 cm snow overnight Wednesday buried 20-40 cm of wind-affected storm snow from last weekend that has since been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of cold temperatures. Winds are redistributing snow into wind slabs and other wind-affected surfaces at treeline and above.The older, faceting storm snow overlies previously wind-affected snow in the high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, it may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations. In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overlie two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.