Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cariboos, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Quesnel, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl.
Be cautious in areas that look wind loaded, pillowed, or extra thick.
Continued snow and wind have made wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, a remote and a rider triggered avalanche were reported in the Quesnel area, both were size 2 and were new snow sliding on facets.
On Sunday, a small (size 1) storm slab avalanche was reported around the Barkerville area. There was another report of a small (size 1) reactive storm slab avalanche around Wells on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of new snow is now resting on a previous 10 cm that was redistributed by strong northeast wind. This upper 30 cm of recent snow may bond poorly to underlying layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and wind-pressed snow.
A thin breakable crust has been reported on the surface at lower elevations in the Sugarbowl area.
A prominent crust is found 30 to 50 cm deep. It extends up to 1900 m in the Cariboos and up to 1400 m around Pine Pass. In the Sugarbowl and Quesnel / Williams Lake areas, a layer of small surface hoar or facets has been observed near the crust.
The midpack is reportedly strong and bonded.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, west alpine wind 30-50 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels up to 1700 m.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud with flurries, southwest alpine wind 30-40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels up to 1600 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm snow, southwest alpine wind 20-50 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels up to 1600 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20-40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels up to 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
- Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate southwest winds have continued in the alpine and upper treeline forming windslabs on north and east aspects.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2