Avalanche Forecast

Moderate -

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with some clearing / Light, westerly winds / Alpine low -10 / Freezing level below valley bottom.SATURDAY: Partly cloudy in morning becoming mostly sunny / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high 2 / Freezing level rising to 1800 m.SUNDAY: Sunny / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine high 5 / Freezing level rising to 2200 m.MONDAY: Sunny / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 7 / Freezing level rapidly rising to 3000 m.

On Thursday, a few size 1 rider triggered persistent slab avalanches were reported on northerly aspects at treeline and below.On Wednesday, several naturally triggered, size 1.5 persistent slab avalanches and a few explosive triggered persistent slabs up to size 2.5 were reported on primarily north aspects at treeline and above. On Tuesday, there were reports of several human triggered persistent slab avalanches up to size 2. A few of these were triggered remotely (from a distance). There were also several reports of natural persistent slab avalanches up to size 3. These avalanches occurred on all aspects and at all elevation bands.

10-15 cm of new snow brings the recent storm snow to 30-55 cm. This snow is sitting on facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. At lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-90 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has been most reactive at lower elevations below treeline. Avalanche activity has dropped off significantly, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer in areas such as steep cutblocks.The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas in the alpine.