Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Clemina, Esplanade, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Premier.
Wind slabs will continue to develop and will be most reactive as they form.
Persistent weakness in the snow pack warrant conservative terrain choices.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche activity has started to tapper off, however, small (size 1 to 2) rider triggered wind slabs continue to be reported on Friday. Large natural wind slabs, up to size 3, were reported on Thursday.
Earlier in the storm on Wednesday, two persistent slab avalanches (size 1 and 2) were remotely triggered by skiers in the Northern Selkirks. These avalanches occurred on north aspects at treeline.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 40 cm of low-density storm snow is being variably altered by wind and has buried a variety of old snow surfaces. It sits above unconsolidated faceted snow, surface hoar and firm wind-pressed snow in open terrain at treeline and above.
Down 50 to 70 cm a crust, facet, and/or surface hoar layer exists. This may become a problem once the snow above starts to stiffen and form a slab.
130+ cm down another surface hoar layer exists that was buried in early December. This seems to be of most concern above 2000 m where a robust crust doesn't exist above it, or in shallow snowpack areas.
The depth of the snowpack varies greatly throughout the region and weak basal facets are present at the base of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, alpine wind southwest 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature rising to -10 C.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, alpine wind southwest 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature rising to -6 C.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, alpine wind south 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature around -5 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries, alpine wind south 10-60 km/h, treeline temperature rising to -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs continue to develop with new snow available for transport.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Two weak layers of surface hoar exist deeper in the snowpack. They have recently been reactive and triggered by people.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Basal facets remain a concern in steep, rocky alpine features with thin-to-thick snowpack transitions.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5