Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Clemina, Esplanade, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Premier.
Reactive storm slabs may build through the day and dry loose sluffing seen in steep terrain features.
Persistent slabs are best managed through conservative terrain selection.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, the most notable avalanches happened just north of Revelstoke in the Selkirks. Two persistent slab avalanches were remotely triggered by skiers from up to 1 km away. They were reported to have failed on the early December surface hoar layer that is buried deeper in the snowpack. The avalanches occurred on east and south-facing slopes areas above 2100 m.
Fresh storm slabs may build on Wednesday and dry loose sluffing will likely continue from steep terrain.
Snowpack Summary
New snow will bury a variety of snow surfaces including unconsolidated faceted snow, surface hoar and firm wind-pressed snow in open terrain at treeline and above. Dry loose sluffing from steep terrain features is likely.
Down 50 -60 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.
100+ 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.
The depth of the snowpack varies greatly throughout the region and weak basal facets are present at the base of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
New snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop wind 15-25 km/h from the west. Treeline temperatures near -15 C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. Ridgetop wind 20 km/h from the southeast and treeline temperatures near -11 C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h from the southeast. Treeline temperature -13 C.
Friday
New snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop winds light from the southwest. Treeline temperatures near -3 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New storm slabs may build through the day and be more reactive on slopes that are wind loaded.
Dry loose sluffing will likely exist in wind sheltered terrain, especially on steep slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of surface hoar exists deeper in the snowpack and has recently been reactive and easily triggered by people.
Basal facets remain a concern in steep, rocky alpine features with thin-to-thick snowpack transitions.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5