Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Synopsis: Unsettled conditions dominate early this week resulting in scattered convective precipitation, sunny breaks, and gusty winds. Monday: Mostly cloudy with periods of snow (around 3-8 cm). The freezing level is around 1700-1800 m and ridge winds are moderate from the west. Tuesday: Sun and cloud with periods of snow. The freezing level is near 1500 m and winds are light from the SW. Wednesday: Sunny breaks. The freezing level is around 1600-1800 m and winds might increase to moderate from the W.

On Saturday there were reports of a few loose wet slides up to size 1.5. Numerous natural and rider triggered avalanches to size 2 were reported Friday as moist storm snow slid on the robust mid-March crust.

An average of 30-50 cm of moist new snow now sits on the mid-March crust, which is 10-15 cm thick. Wind loaded features may have as much as 60 cm on the crust. Recent reports suggest that the overlying snow is bonding well to the crust. During the heat of the afternoon, the snow surface has been reported to be moist or wet at all elevations on solar aspects and up to 2000m on north aspects. At many elevations, melt-freeze cycles are occurring with a weak surface crust forming overnight and then breaking down during the afternoon. Older deeply buried persistent weak layers still exist in the snowpack but are no longer expected to be reactive.