Avalanche Forecast

Recent reports are limited, but the ones we have illustrate the previous widespread wind effect.

Last week several small natural wind slab avalanches had been reported in the alpine on lee slopes (south aspects). Skiers felt whumping and produced shooting cracks on the same features. More details here.

Up to 15cm of new snow is being redistributed by moderate northerly winds in the alpine and exposed treeline. Under this old windslabs can be found on all aspects in exposed terrain from previous variable winds. These windslabs overlie an old facetted surface.

In sheltered areas, up to 35 cm of low density snow sits on a rain crust up to 1650 m. This crust skis well to about 1200 m, below this it is faceting and becomes breakable.

Two preserved surface hoar layers can be found buried between 50 and 90 cm deep.

Snowpack depths at treeline vary across the region with generally deeper amounts (160 to 130 cm) west of the highway, and shallower (60 to 100 cm) to the east.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, trace of snow overnight, north east alpine winds up to 40km/hr, treeline temperature -15°C .

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, north east alpine winds up to 40km/hr, treeline temperature -18°C .

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, increasing cloud overnight with a trace of snow, east winds up to 40 km/hr, treeline temp -20°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy and increasing in the afternoon/ evening, snowfall amounts up to 10 cm through the day increasing overnight, south east wind 20-30 km/h, treeline temperature -15°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.