Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Freezing levels climb to mountain tops today with steady rain.Avalanches could occur on old instabilities buried deep in the snowpack.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, a very large (size 3) avalanche was reported on Joffre shoulder in the Duffey lake area. With rising freezing levels and continued rain, it is likely that more of these avalanches will occur.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow is becoming moist and rain soaked below 2500 m. This snow rests over a crust on all aspects below 1800 m.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of various crusts and layers of facets or surface hoar. It seems these layers may be coming reactive again with the warming and increased load from rain.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mainly cloudy, 5 to 10 mm of mixed precipitation. South alpine wind, 20 to 50 km/h. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
Monday
Mainly cloudy, average of 15 mm, with the possibility of up to 35 mm of rain during the day. Up to an additional 10 mm overnight. South alpine wind, 30 to 50 km/h. Freezing level 2500 m.
Tuesday
Mainly sunny, trace of rain. Southwest alpine wind, 20 to 40 km/h. Freezing level falling to 2000 m.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy, up to 5 mm of rain. Southeast alpine wind, 15 to 40 km/h. Freezing level 2200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
As the freezing level rises and recent snow over a crust becomes moist, wet loose avalanches are very likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wet Slabs
As the previously dry snow becomes wet above the crust, it will become touchy to triggering. Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks, whoompfs, or pinwheeling.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Warming temperatures and rain may reactivate old weak layers deep in the snowpack.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3