Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Cariboos, Clearwater, Clemina, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Premier, Quesnel, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
If you're heading to higher, north-facing terrain in search of dry snow, watch for pockets of wind slab and avoid travelling beneath cornices
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
In the past few days, several natural wind slabs have been reported from north and east alpine terrain, many of them cornice triggered. A few of these avalanches are suspected to have stepped down to buried weak layers, producing avalanches to size 3.5.
Similar activity may occur on Tuesday, as new snow and wind form fresh, reactive wind slabs.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of new snow overlies wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas. Below this, a crust exists on south-facing slopes to mountaintop, and on all aspects below 1900 m.
A layer of surface hoar, facets, and crust is buried 60 to 120 cm deep. Recent avalanches may have stepped down to this layer, it also remains a possibility for triggering with heavy loads like cornice falls.
The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature drops to -5 °C. Freezing level drops to 500 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Mostly clear. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Thursday
Mostly clear. 5 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
- The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recently formed wind slabs may exist on north and east facing slopes at upper elevations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Cornice falls are hard to predict and could trigger large avalanches on the slope below that step-down to buried weak layers. Avoid travelling below cornices, especially during the heat of the day and when solar radiation is strong.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches become more likely on sun affected slopes if the surface crust breaks down.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5