Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with light northwest winds. Isolated flurries possible. Freezing levels fall to valley bottom.

WEDNESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light westerly winds. Freezing levels around 1000m, alpine high of -4. 

THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with strong westerly winds. Freezing levels rise toward 2000 m. Alpine high of 0. 

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with moderate westerly winds. Freezing levels remain around 2000 m. Alpine high of +2. 

No new avalanches were reported on Monday. 

The last persistent slab in this region was reported on Saturday in the Steeples. This avalanche had wide propagation on a south facing aspect at 2300 m and ran for 2 km. It is believed to have occurred on the late January persistent weak layer, with an approximate depth of 50 cm.  

Up to 5 cm of new snow overlies a variety of surfaces. Higher elevations have been heavily wind effected, and a melt freeze crust exists on solar aspects into the alpine. Lower elevations hold a widespread thick melt freeze on all aspects.

The late January interface is buried 10-30 cm deep. It consists of a surface hoar layer found mainly in the north of of the region in sheltered terrain.

The mid January rain crust is now around 20-70 cm deep with weak faceted snow above. In general, this exists on all aspects at lower elevations and then can be found on south facing slopes at higher elevations. In heavily wind scoured areas at treeline and above this crust may even be found on the surface. 

The snowpack below is well consolidated, with the early-December crust/facet persistent weak layer buried 100-200 cm deep. It is currently considered dormant. We expect this layer to become active later this season, check out the forecaster blog for more information.

• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
• A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.