Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Cariboos, Clearwater, Clemina, McBride, McGregor, North Monashee, North Rockies, Premier, Quesnel, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl.
Slab conditions are the main concern right now. Use caution on any snow that feels firm or slabby.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, a few small (size 1) wind slab avalanches were reported easily skier-triggered at or near ridge crests in the alpine.
On Tuesday. wind slabs were observed in alpine terrain on all aspects.
On Monday, riders triggered small storm slab avalanches within the recent storm snow. They were 20 cm deep at treeline on northerly aspects. These add to the many small to large (size 1 to 2) slabs observed last weekend, on all aspects and elevations.
Snowpack Summary
Storms from the end of January through last week produced 30 to 50 cm snow. Surface snow is facetting under cold temperatures, and surface hoar continues to grow. Wind effect can be found in exposed terrain, while in wind-sheltered terrain snow remains soft. This recent snow buried a weak layer of large surface hoar crystals, faceted snow, and sun crust, which is our current interface of concern. This covers a relatively weak mid-pack with numerous other layers of faceted grains, surface hoar, and/or crusts that formed over January.
The lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Sunday night
Clear. 5 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low temperature -25 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Tuesday
Sun and cloud. Increasing northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
- Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
The wind direction has varied, meaning wind slabs may be found on all aspects in wind-exposed terrain. Assess for slabs before committing to high consequence terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Various weak layers exist in the top metre of the snowpack. These layers could be triggered by riders anywhere a hard slab of snow exists above them. Where the snow remains soft, the likelihood of triggering a slab avalanche is low.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5