Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

• We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

A natural cycle occurred overnight Saturday in the Lizard range with numerous storm slabs (size 1.5 to 2) releasing on north to east alpine and treeline slopes.

A few remote-triggered avalanches (size 2) were also reported in the region. All of them failed on the late January surface hoar/crust layer described in the snowpack summary.

Some have been reported to have propagated widely (up to 300 m) after explosive control work at Fernie Alpine Resort (size 2.5) on Saturday.

15 to 30 cm of settling snow now overlies the late January surface hoar/crust layer. This snow has been accompanied by strong south and west winds, meaning that the crust is still on the surface on southerly aspects, while deeper deposits are found on north and east aspects.

The late January surface hoar is largest on sheltered treeline and below treeline features from 1500 to 1900 meters and may not exist on exposed terrain in the alpine.

The surface is moist at lower elevations and on steep south-facing slopes due to daytime warming.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.

Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow at treeline. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Monday
Cloudy. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.