Avalanche Forecast

On Wednesday ski cutting produced several size 1 slab avalanches on wind loaded features near ridgetops.

On Monday, a large slab avalanche (size 2.5)was triggered by a giant cornice fall on a north alpine slope on Mount Cain. It was triggered by a person stepping very close to the cornice.

Thanks for sharing your observations via the MIN if you are going out into the backcountry.

60 to 90 cm of new snow may have fallen by Friday Morning, this new snow will be accompanied by moderate to strong southwest winds, forming deeper deposits on north and east aspects. On solar aspects and lower elevations a crust will likely be found beneath this storm snow.

A robust crust, formed in early March, can be found in the mid-pack. The snow above is well bonded to this crust.

Below this, the snowpack is well consolidated and strong.

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 20 to 30 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 mm of mixed precipitation. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 15 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 mm of rain. 25 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
• Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
• Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.