Avalanche Forecast

Although avalanche activity has subsided, reported avalanche activity over the previous 2 weeks indicates the potential of the deeper weak layers buried in the snowpack. While this is not recent activity or an easily predictable trend - it continues concern for these layers. The Hurley has been the bulls-eye for avalanche activity on persistent weak layers in the middle and bottom of the snowpack.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

The region's generally weak snowpack structure remains.

Up to 10 cm of storm snow is can be found over wind affected surfaces at higher elevations, and over a crust at lower elevations.

A weak layer that formed in late December can be found 50-70 cm deep. In the Hurley and Birkenhead areas it may present as surface hoar sitting on a crust and can be found between 1700 and 1900m in elevation. The crust varies in thickness with terrain and elevation; in many places it's more of a soft and weak section of the snowpack.

There is a widespread weak layer of facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack. Snowpack depths around treeline are about 150 cm deep.

Sunday Night

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate west and northwest wind. Alpine high of -7 °C. Freezing level around 700 m.

Monday

Mostly clear with light to moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m, alpine high of -5 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly clear with light to moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m, alpine high of -5 °C.

Wednesday

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.