Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Mostly sunny conditions are expected on Monday with light to moderate alpine wind from the north. Freezing levels are forecast to drop to around 500 m Sunday overnight and reach around 1500 m on Monday afternoon. Increasing cloud cover is expected on Tuesday with light to moderate alpine wind from the south and freezing levels reaching around 1700 m in the afternoon. Light precipitation is forecast for Wednesday with strong alpine wind from the southwest and freezing levels reaching around 2000 m in the afternoon.

On Saturday, skiers triggered a few size 1 wind slabs in leeward features in the alpine and at treeline in the north of the region. A few natural cornice releases up to size 2.5 were also observed in the north of the region but did not trigger slabs on the slopes below. No new avalanches were reported on Friday. On Monday, wind slabs on northerly aspects in the alpine may still be reactive to human triggering. Natural solar triggered sluffing is expected from steep sun exposed slopes and natural cornice releases are also possible when the sun is shining.

A widespread crust is expected to have formed on all aspects and elevations except for high north facing slopes. Recent strong winds from the south have formed wind slabs in the alpine and have added load to cornices. On sun exposed slopes and at lower elevations, several crusts likely exist in the upper snowpack. In the north of the region, the February persistent weak layers may still be found in the alpine and are down 100-140cm. They include a buried surface hoar layer as well as a crust/facet layer. In the southern parts of the region, the mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.