Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Esplanade, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Retallack, South Columbia, Valhalla, Whatshan.
Buried weak layers and wind slabs are a concern, particularly on high north facing slopes where dry snow may tempt you.
Stick to conservative terrain here, free from overhead hazard.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche actvitiy 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.
Loose wet and wind slabs were also observed, triggered naturally and by riders.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 35 cm of recent storm snow exists at treeline and above. Moist snow exists up to 2200 m on north facing slopes and to ridgetop on sun affected slopes.
A layer of surface hoar can be found 30-70 cm deep, in terrain above 2300 m. This has been reactive to human triggering on high north through east-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
Friday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries. 25 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level drops to 1000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow possible. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
Monday
Mostly clear skies. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
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 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Surface hoar is producing 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.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3