Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light north wind, alpine temperatures drop to -6 C.MONDAY: Sunny with increasing cloud later in the day, light to moderate northwest wind, alpine temperatures around -6 C.TUESDAY: Cloudy with light flurries, accumulations of 5 cm, moderate northwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -4 C.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light north wind, alpine high temperatures around -2 C.

Avalanche activity has quieted down as storm slabs are gradually bonding to underlying crusts.A few small (size 1) avalanches were triggered by skiers on Saturday. On Friday, widespread avalanche activity was reported on the North Shore mountains. Ski cutting produced numerous small (size 1) slab avalanches in the top 30 cm of snow, as well a few notable larger avalanches (up to size 2.5). These avalanches showed impressive propagation, with some being triggered remotely (from a distance) and on a few occasions stepping down to a 50 cm deep crust layer. Evidence of natural activity was also observed when the weather cleared up. Avalanches were most reactive on west and south aspects. Read more about these avalanches in MIN reports here and here.

30-50 cm of recent storm snow is gradually bonding to underlying crust layers. Because of the cold temperatures and weak snow around the crusts, storm slabs are expected to take longer than usual to strengthen. New sun crusts may be found on the surface of south-facing aspects, while wind slabs may be found in exposed terrain. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.