Avalanche Forecast

Moderate -

Tuesday will be a mix of sun and cloud with light flurries. Accumulations are likely to be less than 5cm. Freezing levels should hold steady at about 1700m with daytime highs near -4 in the Spray Valley. Winds will be in the moderate to strong range from the SW. Another storm is expected Wednesday with up to 25cm and 150km/h winds!

A few naturally triggered slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed today, mainly in Alpine terrain. This adds to the numerous avalanches observed yesterday up to size 3 that had run well into their historic paths.

24 hour snowfall amounts are difficult to quantify as the recent storm came as rain and snow. At Highwood Pass today ski pen was 30 to 40cm in thick cakey snow. Winds have remained strong for many days, which has contributed to widespread wind slab development in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. These fresh slabs seem prime for human triggering. At lower elevations, below approximately 2000m, there is a skiff of snow over a freshly formed rain crust.

• Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
• Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
• Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
• Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.