Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Columbia.
Use caution as you transition into wind exposed terrain, recent fresh snow combined with strong winds have promoted wind slab development. Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking and recent avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries, up to 5 cm / strong southwest wind / alpine low temperature near -9Â
TUESDAY - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries, up to 5 cm / moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -8 / freezing level 1500 m
WEDNESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / moderate south wind / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1700 m
THURSDAY - Mainly sunny / moderate south wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 2300 m
Avalanche Summary
Since the storm and associated avalanche cycle eased off early last week, there have been daily reports of natural and explosives-triggered avalanches between size 1-3, and human-triggered avalanches between size 1-2. The size and frequency of these avalanches have decreased slightly each day since the storm ended.
The following are reports of a few notable avalanches from the past week.
On Friday there was a report of a human-triggered size 2 avalanche that resulted in a full burial in a cutblock near Blue River. Check out the MIN report here.
On Wednesday there were two explosives-triggered size 3 persistent slab avalanches reported on east to southeast aspects around treeline, east of Revelstoke near Albert Canyon. These were notable as they failed on the late January persistent weak layer.
Snowpack Summary
There is around 60-100 cm of now sitting on a persistent weak layer of facets that was buried in mid-February. Deep wind deposits and wind slabs exist in the alpine and open treeline areas.
There is 80-120 cm of snow above the late January persistent weak layer which is composed of surface hoar in sheltered areas in the trees and/ or a crust on steep solar aspects. Very isolated activity on this layer has been observed in the past few weeks.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent (and ongoing) southwest winds are likely forming wind slabs at upper elevations. Previous variable winds may mean that wind slabs could be found on all aspects. The most reactive ones are likely to be found on northerly aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
60-100 cm of snow sits on a persistent weak layer of facets that was buried in mid-February.
The late January persistent weak layer is down 70-120 cm. Though avalanches on this layer have been sporadic, they have been large.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5