Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast. Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

FRIDAY NIGHT - Snow, 10-15 cm / southwest wind 30-60 km/h, gusting to 80 km/h / alpine low temperature near -4 / freezing level 1000 m

SATURDAY - Snow, 10-15 cm, with another 15-20 cm overnight / southwest wind 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1100 m

SUNDAY - Snow, 5-10 cm / southwest wind 30-50 km/hr / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1500 m

MONDAY - Snow, 10-15 cm / southwest wind, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 800 m 

Storm slabs may become increasingly reactive throughout the day on Saturday as the new snow adds up.

With new snow piling up over the weekend, the chances of a resurgence of persistent slab avalanches will increase. Without a big dump of snow over a short period of time, this incremental loading will likely make it difficult to predict when this layer may once again reach a tipping point and start producing avalanches. This problem is best managed with conservative terrain selection.

There were numerous size 1-2 explosives triggered storm slab avalanches reported in the region on Thursday.

20-30 cm of new snow is expected between Friday night and Saturday afternoon, bringing total recent snow amounts to 30-50 cm. Storm slabs will likely be building throughout the day.

Two weak layers are buried in close proximity to one another. They are 70-100 cm deep around Nelson and 50-80 cm deep around Rossland and other western parts of the region. The layers are composed of feathery surface hoar and sugary faceted grains and they overlie a hard melt-freeze crust. 

The new snow load expected over this weekend will likely increase the chances of large avalanches running on this layer. 

• Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.
• Use conservative route selection and resist venturing out into complex terrain.