Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Columbia.
Avalanche activity is unlikely given the current cool and cloudy weather.
Continue to be mindful of your exposure to cornices when travelling on and below ridgelines.
Confidence
High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Partially cloudy. Treeline temperature dropping to -5 C. 20-35km/h wind from the southeast.
MONDAY: High cloud increasing. Light flurries in the afternoon above 1500 m, rain below. Treeline temperatures rising to -1 C. 25-40 km/h wind from the southeast.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with precipitation, 5-15 cm of new snow accumulation above 1400 m, rain below. Treeline temperatures rising to -2 C. 25-50 km/h wind from the west.
WEDNESDAY: Partially cloudy. Treeline temperatures rising to 0 C. Light wind from the south.Â
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity in the last week has consisted of large cornice failures on north and east-facing slopes. For the most part, these have not triggered avalanches on the slopes below.
Snowpack Summary
At treeline and above up to 20 cm consolidated and wind-affected snow covers a crust on all aspects to 2200 m and up to mountain tops on solar aspects. Recent northeast wind has left a variety of wind-affected surfaces. Another prominent crust layer is found 40-80 cm deep. Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Terrain and Travel
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Cornices
Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3