Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

We expect numerous slab avalanches to have occurred with the new snow and strong winds, primarily on north and east facing slopes. Wet avalanches are expected at lower elevations.

The persistent weak layer has shown reactivity within the last week, with a size 2.5 slab observed on a north facing alpine slope near Line Creek on Wednesday. In addition several loose dry avalanches have stepped down to this layer in steep terrain.

By Monday morning storm totals are expected to reach up to 35 cm. Moderate to strong southwest winds have redistributed this snow into deeper deposits at treeline and above, likely stripping slopes that face into the wind.

Lower elevations have received mostly rain, creating wet surface conditions or a crust.

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January is buried 30 to 50 cm deep. This layer is expected to be more reactive with the warming temperatures and new snow/ rain. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Snowfall is expected to begin the night at 1500 m, and drop to 500 m by morning.

Monday

Mostly clear skies with some clouds. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow. 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Wednesday

Mostly clear skies with 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 2000 m, treeline temperatures of +2 °C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.