Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Esplanade, Goat, Gold, Jordan, Kokanee, North Columbia, North Okanagan, North Selkirk, Retallack, Shuswap, South Columbia, Valhalla, Whatshan.
Use good travel habits and avoid shallow, rocky start zones. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features, and in extreme terrain.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, northwest of Revelstoke, explosive avalanche control triggered a few small cornice and wind slab avalanches on north aspects in the alpine.
A couple of large, deep persistent slab avalanches were also reported, but it is suspected that they occurred earlier in the week, possibly in a very warm and sunny period.
Other recent reports include a few wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 and 2 in the alpine on solar aspects.
Snowpack Summary
By Thursday afternoon, up to 5cm of new snow may have fallen over a thin crust on steep slopes facing the sun right up into the alpine. Snow that fell earlier in the week has been redistributed by northeast winds. On high, north-facing terrain, wind slabs may sit over facets and surface hoar.
The mid-snowpack is generally strong but the lower snowpack is a different story. The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. This layer remains a concern in rocky, shallow, or thin to thick snowpack areas at treeline and above.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mostly clear. No new snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.
Friday
Cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1300 m. Treeline high around -5°C.
Saturday
Cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected overnight and through the day. Light southwest ridgetop wind, possible periods of moderate in the morning. Freezing level around 1300m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 2-5 cm of snow expected. Very light southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5