Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

The freezing levels will rise significantly to over 2000 metres on Sunday but with no precipitation forecast.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 3 to 5 cm, 30 to 50 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C with freezing level at valley bottom.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods, no precipitation, 20-40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature rising to 0 C with freezing level up to 2000 m.

MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 30-50 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C with freezing level around 1000 m.

TUESDAY: Snow, heavy at times, accumulatin 30 to 40 cm, 40-60 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -2 C with freezing level at 1700 m.

Many storm and wind slab avalanches were triggered naturally, by riders, and explosives on Friday. The slabs were generally 30 to 40 cm thick, with the most reactive slabs found in lee terrain features. 

New snow in the last few days (20-30 cm) have formed wind slabs in lee terrain features due to strong southerly wind. Storm slabs may still exist in terrain sheltered from the wind. Below about 1200 m in parts of the region close to the coast, the precipitation fell as rain, producing a hard melt-freeze crust. This recent precipitation adds to the 100+ cm of snow that has fallen since January 1, which may overly sugary faceted grains that formed during the cold spell in late December.

Around 150 to 250 cm deep, a weak layer of faceted grains may be found above a melt-freeze crust that formed in early December. The layer is most prominent between 1700 and 2100 m. Observed avalanches on this layer are rather rare and intermittent, suggesting that this layer has become dormant. The most likely place to trigger it would be in thin, rocky snowpack areas.

The lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.

• Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.