Avalanche Forecast

Widespread storm slab and persistent slab avalanche activity was observed the past few days, including a full burial persistent slab on Monday east of Revelstoke with a successful recovery. Most avalanches were small to large occurring primarily at treeline and alpine elevations. The persistent slabs were mostly on north to west aspects and 60 to 100 cm deep.

Riders could trigger similar avalanches going forward.

40 to 70 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of layers that it may not bond well to, including surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed south and west-facing slopes. The wind has likely formed thicker deposits in lee terrain features near ridges.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried 60 to 120 cm deep and is found up to around 2400 m. This crust may have a layer of facets above it, which makes it a troublesome avalanche layer.

The remainder of the snowpack is settled.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 15 to 30 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 15 to 30 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
• Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.