Avalanche Forecast

In general, small, human-triggered wind slab avalanches continue to be reported In alpine and open treeline terrain. Most of these avalanches are 20 cm deep or less, but some of them have propagated a long way across the slope, and are still big enough to push you into a hazard or obstacle.

On Saturday in the Big White backcountry, a couple of small (size 1) human-triggered wind slab avalanches were reported on north-facing slopes around treeline. See photos for details.

Alpine and open treeline terrain are generally wind-affected, with reactive wind slabs in some places. Around Nelson and in the Valhallas, small (5 mm) surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) have been reported to be buried 15-20 cm below the snow surface.

Facets (weak, sugary crystals) are starting to form above a thick rain crust that was buried in early February. This crust is now 30 to 50 cm below the snow surface.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -7 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light variable ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m through the day.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 1-4 cm of snow expected above 1300 m. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom overnight, rising to 1000 m through the day.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 1-4 cm of snow expected above 1400 m. Light west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
• Start with conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
• Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.