Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Dogtooth, Esplanade, Glacier, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Selkirk, South Columbia, West Purcell.
Human-triggered avalanches are likely.
Choose conservative terrain and regroup in safe spots.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, several large (size 2) and one very large (size 3) natural avalanches were reported in the region. There were also four large remotely-triggered avalanches, two by riders and two by a snowcat. In the southeast part of the region, explosive control work produced numerous small (size 1) to large slab avalanches.
Large human-triggered avalanches continue to remain likely.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of new snow has fallen since Tuesday. A sun crust and/or moist snow can be found on slopes exposed to the sun.
Three persistent weak layers consisting of surface hoar and/or facets are found in the middle of the snowpack. The early March layer is between 60 and 120 cm down. The mid-February layer is between 70 and 150 cm deep and a layer from late January is down 150 cm. In lower elevations, these layers sit over a crust.
Below this, the snowpack is well settled.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and wind have formed reactive new slabs. Expect wind slabs to be present on north through east aspects near or just below ridge crests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers from early March, mid February, and late January can still be triggered, particularly at upper treeline and alpine elevations. Wind slab avalanches could step down to these layers, forming very large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5