Avalanche Forecast

Low - Due to the number of field observations

MONDAY NIGHT: Flurries with 2-10 cm of snow, strong wind from the southeast, freezing level around 700 m.TUESDAY: Scattered flurries with trace accumulations, moderate wind out of the southwest, freezing level climbing to 1000 m.WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, moderate wind from the southwest, freezing level drops to 500 m with alpine high temperatures around -6 C.THURSDAY: Cloudy, light wind from the southeast, freezing level drops to valley with alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

On Sunday, recent slab avalanches, whumpfing, and cracking were observed in the Hankin area. Natural slab avalanches were also reported last week during the start of the stormy weather, including two large (size 2) avalanches on east-facing wind-loaded slopes near treeline (1700 m) and several smaller slabs in steep gullies at low elevations. See this MIN report from Ashman.Recent activity has likely been in the new storm snow and on the interface with old snow from the early December dry spell (which is roughly 40-70 cm below the surface).

Stormy weather continues to build storm slabs and wind slabs throughout the region. Sunday's storm brought another 15-25 cm of snow, which brings the total amount of snow since last Tuesday (the 11th) to 40-70 cm. The combination of new snow and forecast strong south winds is likely forming thicker and more sensitive wind deposits at higher elevations. The storm snow may still need a bit more time to form a good bond with the weak surface hoar and facets that formed during the dry spell in early December. We're lacking information about the current strength of this layer.Deeper in the snowpack, there are reports of several crusts including an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.