Avalanche Forecast

High

On Sunday, a loose wet avalanche was observed (see photo below for details).

On Saturday, skiers triggered a size 2 avalanche in the Mt Washington backcountry.

We expect triggering avalanches will remain unlikely until the next storm hits the Island on Thursday night.

The majority of the snow surface is expected to be crusty, or potentially moist/wet at lower elevations, on Wednesday. This has brought the avalanche danger to low, but also created potentially poor riding conditions.

Dry snow and small lingering wind slabs may persist on northerly aspects at the highest elevations.

The rest of the snowpack currently has no layers of concern, and is made up of well-settled storm snow, rounded snow crystals, and crusts.

Snowpack depths at treeline average 200 to 300 cm.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level dropping to 2000 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h ridgetop northwest wind. Treeline temperature +3°C. Freezing level rising to 2800 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.