Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Columbia, South Columbia, Clearwater, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Shuswap, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan.
The upper snowpack will weaken throughout the day due to warming and solar radiation; while isolated wind slabs may persist in steep, high alpine areas.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A naturally triggered, size 2 storm slab avalanche was reported on Thursday, occurring on a steep, west-facing moraine feature in the alpine.
A cornice failure observed on Thursday did not propagate any weak layers on the north-facing, alpine slope below.
Despite the low danger rating, the likelihood of triggering an avalanche will increase throughout the day with warming and strong solar radiation expected.
Snowpack Summary
A melt-freeze crust has likely formed on the surface in all but north-facing alpine terrain. This crust will weaken and transition to wet snow with daytime warming and solar radiation.
Wind-affected dry snow remains in north-facing, alpine terrain.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow at higher elevations. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- Be alert to conditions that change throughout the day.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.