Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Thursday: Flurries in the morning, then clearing. Winds moderate northwesterly becoming light northeasterly. Treeline temperatures around -10C.Friday: Clear and sunny. Easterly outflow winds expecting to increase in valleys that drain towards the ocean. Temperatures around -15C.Saturday: Clear and sunny. Continued easterly low level outflow winds. Temperatures around -17C.

Explosive control work on Tuesday managed to produce some large avalanches that failed on the crust buried at the end of October on north through east aspect alpine slopes in the Stewart area. A natural storm avalanche cycle was observed last weekend up to size 2.5. Colder weather is most likely to reduce the amount of avalanche activity in the coming days.

The region picked up 20 to 60cm of storm snow last weekend accompanied by winds out of the southwest, west, northwest, and most recently the east. Since then, little additional snow has fallen, but cooler temperatures have kept snow dry and susceptible to being blown around by the wind. Wind slabs may rest on a melt freeze crust (reported to be 3 to 15cm thick), and there are reports there also may be surface hoar resting above this crust in sheltered locations. Below this crust the mid-pack is reported to be generally strong. You can expect to find a second prominent crust, which was buried at the end of October, 100 to 200cm below the surface. This lower layer may have associated facets, particularly in more shallow locations.