Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Clearwater, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Columbia, Valhalla, Whatshan.
Watch for signs of instability as warm temperatures and continued snowfall will create storm slabs.
Weak layers deeper in the snowpack may become more reactive as temperatures rise.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, numerous rider triggered wind slabs and storm slabs (size 1 and 2) were reported on many aspects at all elevations.
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 is settling fast with warm temperatures. 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
Monday Night
Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20-50 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C. In the Silver Star area possibility of freezing rain.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20-30 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 -2 °C, freezing levels up to 1500 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, south alpine wind 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing levels up to 1500 m.
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More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
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