Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Watch for wind slabs in open areas at treeline and above. Start with small features before moving into bigger terrain.
Minimize exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, a size 1.5 skier-triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on a north aspect at 1900 m. The wind slab released on a weak layer of surface hoar found below.
On Monday, a few size 1 wind slab skier-triggered avalanches were reported on south through west slopes at 1900 m.
A few natural glide slab avalanches were observed throughout the weekend up to size 2. Glide slabs are hard to forecast. If you see a glide crack, simply avoid being under it.
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine, switching winds have created wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs on all aspects. At treeline and below, exposed features are wind-affected however on sheltered north and east aspects at this elevation low-density snow surfaces remain preserved.
A crust is buried 60 to 100 cm deep and may have a layer of surface hoar sitting above it. Recent tests show this layer as unreactive.
The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled.
Snow depths at treeline are roughly 100 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mainly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. An above freezing layer persists between 1500 and 2500 m.
Wednesday
Mainly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing levels 2700 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 2 cm. 15 to 30 km/h southwest switching to northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing levels drop to the valley bottom.
Friday
Partly cloudy. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
- If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Isolated wind slabs continue to be reactive to human-triggering. They may be slow to heal where they have formed over a weak layer of facets or surface hoar.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2