Avalanche Forecast

Moderate -

Monday: Cloudy with scattered flurries and approximately 5cm of new snow. Winds light from the southeast. Alpine temperatures around -19.Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Winds light from the southwest. Alpine temperatures around -17.Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Winds light from the southeast. Alpine temperatures of -13.

Reports from Saturday include numerous Size 1-2 storm slabs being triggered both naturally and with ski cutting, as well a small number of remote triggers. These soft slab avalanches have been noted running fast and entraining large amounts of loose snow. A mid-storm interface observed approximately 15cm deep in the new snow has been particularly reactive.As for Monday's outlook, fresh storm slabs are continuing to build and should be expected to be sensitive to light triggers, especially where they overlie weak layers present at our previous surface and where winds have promoted slab formation. Loose snow avalanches are also beginning to evolve into something more than a 'good skiing problem' and should not be underestimated in areas where they have the potential to entrain significant mass. In the north of the region around Blue River and Valemount, a persistent slab problem still exists and the potential for storm slab avalanches to 'step down' should be considered. Several large human triggered avalanches were reported in late January. Click here for more details.

10 to 25 cm of new, low-density snow from Friday and Saturday has now buried a range of surface conditions that developed over the past week. Along with wind slabs recently formed on a wide range of aspects, the new snow has also buried a sun crust that was reported on steep solar aspects as well as surface hoar found on sheltered open slopes in the days before the storm. Surface faceting was also reported as a result of cold temperatures last week. The new snow will likely form a weak bond to these surfaces and touchy conditions can be expected as it continues to accumulate into storm slabs above them. A persistent weakness buried mid January is now down 40-60 cm and consists of buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, and/or widespread faceted old snow. It has generally stabilized but may be sensitive to triggering in isolated areas where buried surface hoar is preserved.Another surface hoar/facet persistent weakness was buried mid-December and can now be found down 110-130 cm. It has become inactive in the south of the region, but may still be sensitive to triggers in the northern part of the region near Blue River and Valemount. Read the Cariboo forecast for more information.