Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Wednesday explosive and skier triggered avalanches released within the storm snow 40 to 70 cm down; they were up to size 2.

No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday

Thanks for the observations and please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It is really helpful for forecasters!

In the dry snow zone (say 1900 m and above): Recent snow is settling in most areas with new wind slabs behind ridges, ribs, and breaks in the terrain. Windward slopes were stripped of their recent snow.

Transition Zone: Below around 1600 m the snowpack has a thick crust at or near the surface. From around 1600 to 19000 m is the rain-snow transition zone where melt-freeze crusts are buried by up to 40 cm of snow. These crusts are strengthening the snowpack.

Deep Layers: The lower snowpack is still watched by professionals, the late December crust is down 70 to 120 cm. In the alpine, it is thin and breakable. Near the base of the snowpack, a weak facet/crust layer from mid-November can be found. Although triggering these layers is unlikely, they remains a concern for large loads (e.g. cornice failure) or in thin spots. In general, this winter the snowpack is shallow (and therefore weaker).

Thursday Night: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Treeline temperature: Low -8 °C. Ridge wind light to 20 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Treeline temperature: High -3 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 25 km/h. Freezing level: 900 metres.

Flurries. Accumulation: around 10 - 15 cm. Treeline temperatures: Low -8 °C, High -3 °C. Mostly moderate southerly ridge wind occasional strong gusts. Freezing level: 800 metres.

Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Treeline temperatures: Low -10 °C, High -6 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 30 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
• If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
• Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.