Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Esplanade, Goat, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Retallack.
Buried surface hoar continues to produce natural and remotely triggered avalanches on north facing slopes.
Stick to conservative terrain, free from overhead hazard.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche activity on the buried surface hoar layer includes naturally triggered slabs to size 3, and human-triggered to size 2, including remote triggers.
These occurred on high elevation north facing slopes in the Selkirks. Reactivity is most notable in wind affected terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Surface conditions at higher elevations vary from wind affected surfaces to crusts on south facing slopes.
A reactive layer of surface hoar on sheltered north facing slopes can be found 30-70 cm deep, at upper treeline and alpine elevations. This layer is present as a crust on south facing slopes.
Several melt freeze crusts can be found throughout the upper snowpack. Weak layers buried in early March, February, and January are now anywhere from 150 cm to 250 cm deep.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with flurries. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Surface hoar produced large and remotely triggered avalanches on north through east facing slopes at high elevations. On south facing slopes this layer exists as a crust and may be reactive during warming or periods of strong sunshine.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Fresh and reactive wind slabs exist at upper elevations. Watch for wind loaded features near ridgelines and mid slope rollovers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
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 - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2