Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Wednesday night: Clear. Light westerly wind. Alpine temperature -15.

Thursday: Flurries up to 5cm. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature around -10.

Friday: 10-20 cm new snow. Moderate variable wind. Alpine temperature around -15.

Saturday: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature around -12.

On Wednesday, we received report of a size 1 wind slab out of an unsupported lee feature observed from the highway. Over the weekend there were a few reports of natural wind slab avalanches (see a photo in this MIN report) and some size 1 wet loose avalanches on steep sun-exposed slopes. Looking forward fresh wind slabs will be the main concern.

10-20 cm of new snow is forecast for Friday. This will add to 20 cm of recent, wind-affected snow that may continue to be redistributed into wind slabs in lee terrain features by strong southwest winds through Friday.

The White Pass area has a deep snowpack without any layers of concern. The Tutshi Lake / Paddy Peak area should be assessed on a slope by slope basis, as some lingering snowpack weaknesses may still exist on isolated slopes. The Wheaton's shallower snowpack is dominated by hard wind slabs overlying sugary facets and depth hoar. It's an untrustworthy snowpack structure that requires conservative terrain selection and diligent travel habits. 

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.