Avalanche Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies with no precipitation, 20 to 40 km/h north wind, alpine temperature -14 C.

WEDNESDAY: Clear skies with no precipitation, 20 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -12 C.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -9 C.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 40 to 60 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.

No new avalanches were observed on Monday. Looking forward, naturally-triggered avalanche activity is likely decreasing during this cold weather but riders could trigger persistent slab avalanches, where they exist.

5 to 10 cm of recent snow sits on a surface melt-freeze crust on all aspects below around 1600 m and on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. Settled dry snow remains on shaded slopes above around 1600 m. Reports suggest that recent northerly wind did not form new wind slabs, though extra caution is advised in steep terrain where isolated pockets may have formed.

Around 30 to 60 cm deep, sugary faceted grains may be found around a melt-freeze crust from February in the north of the region (e.g., Duffey, Hurley). The layer may be most prevalent on northeast to northwest aspects at treeline and alpine elevations. We've received limited avalanche observations on this layer, but it should be treated as suspect anywhere it exists. Check out this forecaster blog for more info. Various crusts may be found in the south of the region but reports suggest they are bonding to the snowpack and are not an avalanche concern.

There are no deeper concerns at this time.

• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.