Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Columbia.
Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: Partly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-10 cm / Light east wind / Low of -13 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Monday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -3 / Freezing level 1200 m.
Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -5 / Freezing level 600 m.
Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeast wind / High of -5 / Freezing level 600 m.
Avalanche Summary
An explosive triggered size 1.5 wind slab avalanche was reported on a northeast aspect in the alpine near Revelstoke on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of recent snow buries a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2200 m and up to mountain tops on solar aspects.
Recent strong winds from a variety of directions formed wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine.
The prominent layer in the upper snowpack is a melt-freeze crust down 60-90 cm.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2