Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

FRIDAY NIGHT: A few flurries possible. Expected to stay cool overnight.SATURDAY: Dry. Temperatures showing a warming trend with an above-freezing level layer developing from approximately 1800-2400 m. Winds light northwesterly.SUNDAY: Light snow or rain (2-4 cm at higher elevations). Cooling rapidly through the day. Strong westerly winds.MONDAY: Dry. Freezing level at valley bottom. Light northwesterly winds.

Several rider-triggered persistent slab and wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The persistent slab avalanches were most prevalent between approximately 1500-1800 m, although some were noted at higher elevations, including into the alpine. Wind slabs were noted above 1800 m. Widespread dry loose sluffing from steeper terrain features has also been reported. As the upper snowpack becomes denser with expected warming, potentially surprising avalanches are expected to become more likely and widespread.Check out this MIN report for a great overview of conditions including photos.

20-35 cm of recent new snow sits above a layer of large feathery surface hoar crystals and a sun crust. The new snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres where the surface hoar is particularly well developed on all aspects. Until recently, in most sheltered places there was insufficient cohesion in the snow above the weak layer to form slab avalanches; reactivity was noted most in exposed areas where the wind had stiffened up the slab. Warmer temperatures are consolidating the upper snowpack are will likely make slab avalanches more widely triggerable.The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.