Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Cariboos, Clearwater, Clemina, Esplanade, Jordan, McBride, North Columbia, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Premier, Quesnel.
New windslabs and cornices will have grown during this recent storm.
Investigate the snow carefully before entering wind affected, open, or steeper terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Recent snow and wind produced a slab avalanche cycle of both natural and human triggered avalanches.
The reactivity and distribution of the early December persistent layers are not well understood in this region. Reports indicate it may be an issue in areas near Revelstoke. Last reported avalanches on this layer occurred on a west-facing slope at 2200 m near Revelstoke on Saturday. This layer is most likely to be triggered in thin snowpack areas, sheltered from wind.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snow continues to accumulate totalling 20 to 30cm. This is falling on a melt freeze crust on sun affected slopes.
A layer of surface hoar, crust or facets (or a combination) exists 60-110 cm deep. Reports indicate this layer is hard to find and likely not a concern north of Highway 5. In terrain closer to Revelstoke, this layer has shown reactivity to remote triggers on west facing slopes at 2200 m. Reactivity is not well understood at this time, as no further avalanches have been reported. Surface hoar is most likely to be preserved in large, open sheltered slopes at treeline.
Cornices may be large, and weakened from mild temperatures.
Snow depth at treeline is 120-150 cm.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -6 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind slabs near ridgelines and mid slope rollovers, small amounts of new snow may build fresh and reactive deposits. In areas near Revelstoke, slabs may step down to deeper buried layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2