Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Weather models are calling for 5-10cm of new snow on Friday morning with heavy snowfall (up to 35cm) on Friday night and into Saturday morning. Generally light flurries are forecast for the rest of Saturday while up to 20cm of new snow may fall between Saturday night and Sunday. Ridgetop winds on Friday will be extreme from the south, becoming light on Saturday and Sunday. Freezing levels will hover around 1500m for the forecast period.

Natural and artificially triggered storm slab avalanche activity in the size 2-3 range was reported from across the region on Wednesday. Cornices remain large and fragile and would likely collapse under the weight of a person. While recent storm accumulations will likely gain strength over the next few days, further storm loading will spark a new round of destructive wind and storm slab avalanche activity.

Continued snowfall and strong winds have formed reactive wind slabs on alpine and treeline features. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged continued cornice growth. The upper snowpack sits on a widespread crust which can be found on all but high elevation north facing slopes. The mid-pack is generally well settled.