Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

We're in the path of a series of Pacific weather systems that will bring snow at higher elevations, and some rain mixed with snow at valley bottoms. Southern portions of the forecast area may see higher than forecast temperatures.Thursday night: Freezing level: 1000m; A minor clearing will occur late Thursday night before the next storm system. Winds from the south west and moderate to strong at ridge top.Friday: Freezing level: 1000m; Yet another wave will bring more snow (10 to 20 cm) to the region, with continued moderate to strong south west winds at ridge top.Saturday: Freezing level around 900m; A bit of a break in the weather on Saturday. Flurries with a trace of precipitation ( perhaps 5 cm ), light to moderate winds at ridge top from the south west.Sunday: Freezing level at 800m; More snow as another wave moves into the interior. 10 to 15 cm new snow possible. Winds from the south west, moderate gusting to strong at ridge tops.

Reports of a widespread avalanche cycle throughout the forecast area with natural avalanches up to 3.5, and skier controlled avalanches up to size 2.

The new snow ( up to 80cm in some areas ) has fallen on a variety of weak surfaces that include surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), facetted wind slabs from the recent cold clear arctic conditions, and sun crust on some steep south facing slopes. These weak layers will be problematic for the near future. It will take time for the new snow to bond with these old surfaces. Strong winds at ridge tops have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on lee slopes. . Shallow snowpack areas may have a large layer of weak facetted snow at the base of the snowpack. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences could be quite serious.