Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

A few small (size 1) storm slab avalanches were triggered on Friday, with explosives.

On Thursday there were a few small (size 1-1.5) storm slab avalanches west of Winlaw. North aspect, treeline, 35 cm deep.

Numerous natural and human-triggered large (size 2) avalanches, 30 to 90 cm deep, were reported on Tuesday and Wednesday. Some were remotely triggered from far away. The activity was on all aspects, treeline and above, and often involved buried facets.

The snowpack has two buried weak layers of concern:

• A layer of facets and surface hoar buried 30 to 60 cm deep, covered by a thin crust at lower elevations but remaining active higher up. This started as a storm slab and has persisted as a problem.

• A crust and facet combo from the new year down 80 to 100 cm. This layer seems to be becoming active now that it has a significant load over it from the continued trickle of snow.

Currently, the mid and lower snowpack is generally well-bonded, featuring a thick crust near its base.

Friday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 15 to 20 cm of snow or rain, southwest alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature 3 °C, freezing level 2700 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with 5 cm of snow or rain, south alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature 4 °C, freezing level 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
• Avoid steep convex slopes.
• Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.