Avalanche Forecast

Friday night: Overcast, up to 5 cm of snow in the north of the region, moderate southwest winds, freezing level dropping to 700 m. 

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with trace accumulations, light southwest winds, freezing level near 1300 m.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with trace accumulations, light southwest winds, freezing level near 1200 m and dropping to valley bottom.

Monday: Partly cloudy, light southeast winds, freezing level near 1200 m.

In the north of the region, a small skier-triggered wind slab was reported on Thursday.

There are still concerns about the reactivity of persistent weak layers in these areas. Over the past week, observers near Duffey Lake reported a large (size 2.5) avalanche on a north aspect at 1750 m that was thought to have released 1 m deep on a persistent weak layer. On Sunday, a size 1.5 skier accidental was reported on a northwest aspect in the alpine, also near Duffey Lake. The slab is thought to have failed on a thin layer of facets, sandwiched between two wind-stiffened layers. 

In the south of the region, there have been numerous reports of large (size 2-2.5) natural glide slab avalanches. Glide slabs are most likely in areas of smooth ground cover such as rock slabs at lower elevations experiencing prolonged warm temperatures with limited overnight refreeze. These avalanches will be large, involving the full depth of the snowpack. Carefully consider your access/egress routes where they cross under large paths. 

In the north of the region, 20-30 cm of snow accumulated Friday, with higher totals near the Hurley. This snow was accompanied by strong south winds, forming touchier slabs on leeward slopes. Massive cornices exist on ridgelines, which can act as triggers on slopes below. 

The load from new snow and wind has the potential to wake up buried weak layers. A layer of facets from mid-February has shown reactivity on north aspects near treeline and is primarily a concern where it separates wind-stiffened snow above and below. A deeper persistent weak layer buried in late January composed of a crust, facets or surface hoar also has the potential to re-awaken with large triggers, such as an avalanche in motion, cornice fall, or intense loading from snow/ wind. The lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.

In the south of the region, danger ratings are Moderate, Low, Low due to a gradual cooling trend in the aftermath of a significant warm-up. The snowpack is generally well consolidated with no concerns of buried weak layers but notable glide avalanche activity.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
• Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.