North Columbia

Avoid wind-loaded areas and keep in mind that a weak layer of surface hoar is still buried within the range for large human-triggered avalanches.

A natural avalanche cycle occurred on Friday evening. Numerous large (size 2 to 3) storm and wind slabs were reported from the alpine and treeline on a variety of aspects.

Reactivity persisted on Saturday, with numerous size 1 to 2 skier-triggered wind slabs reported in the alpine and treeline. Check out this MIN for an example. A notable skier-triggered size 2 persistent slab occurred in the Selkirks east of Revelstoke on a northeast aspect in the alpine.

Recent storm snow has been redistributed into wind slab near ridge crests by strong south through to northwest winds. Below treeline a new crust is on or near the surface.

The mid pack contains several layers of note; a layer of surface hoar and a crust down 20 to 50 cm, a significant crust from the early December rain event down around 60 cm and a layer of surface hoar down 60 to 100 cm.

The make up of the lower snowpack is variable throughout the region but is generally not concerning at this time.

Sunday Night

Clear periods with no new snow. South alpine wind, 20 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -8°C.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny periods, no new snow. South alpine wind, 30 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with snowfall, 1 to 10 cm of accumulation. South alpine wind, 25 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud, no new snow. Southeast alpine wind, 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
• Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.