Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Forecasts are for use by experienced backcountry travelers in uncontrolled sidecountry and backcountry terrain. These forecasts and conditions do not apply to open, in-bounds terrain at ski resorts, which is subject to avalanche control by local resort ski patrol.
Avalanche Rating
Moderate (2)
Warning! This is an outdated forecast.
Strong winds and new snow in the forecast are expected to build reactive new wind slabs.If you see blowing snow, avoid lee features, especially near ridgelines.
More Detail
To get the complete forecast with additional graphics and details, please view the Avalanche Canada Zone forecast provided by Avalanche Canada.
Snowpack Discussion
On the surface, 15 to 30 cm of wind-affected snow rests on a thick rain crust. An additional 2 to 15 cm of snow is expected overnight and by the end of Wednesday, along with strong winds. The higher snowfall amounts are forecast for the southern half of the region.
In some areas surface hoar and/or facets are buried below this surface snow, 10 to 40 cm deep.
Recent and forecast strong winds have varied in direction, so wind slabs may be present on all aspects. These slabs should bond quickly, but may be more reactive where they overlie the weak surface hoar and facets.
The mid and lower snowpack have no layers of concern at this time.
Avalanche Activity
Several small (size 1 to 1.5) wind slabs occurred throughout the region on Monday. Some occurred naturally and others were human triggered.
With more snow and wind in the forecast we can expect to see more avalanches like this over the next few days. Wind slabs will be particularly reactive where they overlie surface hoar, facets or a slippery crust.