Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Regions
Lizard-Flathead.
The general trend is for gradually rising freezing levels and clearing skies. In the meantime pay attention to the bond of the recent new snow to the old snow surface.
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1700 m. THURSDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature 3. Freezing level 2200 m. FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate west wind. Alpine temperature 4. Freezing level 2300 m.
Avalanche Summary
Several loose wet avalanches up to size 2.5 which were triggered by cornice falls were reported near Fernie on Sunday. Other than that avalanche reports have been limited due to very few information sources this time of year. If you have been out, post you observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of new snow and moderate winds have formed storm slabs reactive to human triggers. This storm snow overlies numerous crusts in the upper 100 cm of the snowpack. The mid-pack is generally well settled and strong.A layer of sugary facets around a crust can be found near the bottom of the snowpack which has been dormant for some time. Large triggers, such as a falling cornice, or a major warm-up to the snowpack could trigger this layer.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.