Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
A large amount of recent storm snow rests on weak layers, making the snowpack complex.
Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, a persistent slab (size 2) avalanche was observed on the Duffey Lake road. It naturally failed on the early March persistent weak layer, with a step-down to the mid-February weak layer.
On Friday, numerous solar-induced avalanches were reported in the Birkenhead region, with a notable persistent slab avalanche (size 3.5) that ran full path on a northeasterly alpine slope.
North-facing alpine and treeline terrain are seeing continued avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
An additional 5 cm is expected on Saturday night, which will bring this week's storm totals to 80 to 150 cm of new snow. This sits on a weak layer formed in early March that consists of facets or surface hoar that overlie a crust on all aspects except high north-facing slopes.
Weak layers formed in mid-February and late-January are now buried 80 to 175 cm deep.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4°C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Continuous storms in the past week have left numerous storm slab interfaces in the top 80 cm of the snowpack with deeper deposits in wind-loaded terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers remain a concern in north-facing terrain where snowpack depth is variable. These layers are still adjusting to the new snow load and may be reactive to human-triggering.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3