Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Clearwater, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Columbia, Valhalla, Whatshan.
Warm temperatures will increase slab properties of the surface snow, watch for signs of instability.
Weak layers deeper in the snowpack may become more reactive as temperatures rise.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, a few small (size 1) rider triggered wind slabs and storm slabs were reported on many aspects both at treeline and in the alpine. Around the Sicamous area, natural and remote triggered avalanches were reported up to size 2, and were likely triggerd by warm temperatures.
On Friday, explosive avalanche control generally produced size 1 to 2 wind slabs, with one step down avalanche that was size 2.5 on a north aspect at treeline.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 50 cm of recent snow from the last two storms has settled and is now closer to 20 to 30 cm. This snow has buried a variety of snow surfaces including unconsolidated faceted snow, surface hoar and firm wind-pressed snow in open terrain at treeline and above.
Down 60 to 80 cm, a crust, facet and or surface hoar layer exists.
130+ cm down another surface hoar layer exists that was buried in early December. This layer is of most concern above 2000 m where a robust crust doesn't exist above it.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, south alpine wind 10-40 km/h, treeline temperature -2 C.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, south alpine wind 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 10-20 cm of snow, south alpine wind 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing levels up to 1600 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20-50 km/h, treeline temperature -1 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow and warm temperatures are building storm slabs that may be thicker and more reactive in wind affected areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
60-90 cm of snow sits above a crust and surface hoar which has produced natural, remote and rider-triggered avalanches in the past week.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5