Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Clearwater, Gold, Jordan, Kootenay Boundary, North Columbia, North Okanagan, Rossland, Shuswap, South Columbia, South Okanagan, Whatshan.
Surface conditions vary with elevation and aspect. Assess for the bond of the new snow before committing to high-consequence terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Thursday saw widespread small (size 1) storm slab and loose avalanches in alpine terrain. We expect similar avalanches remain possible for Friday.
Please consider submitting your observations to the MIN if you head to the backcountry.
Snowpack Summary
Around 5 to 15 cm of snow fell on Thursday above 1000 m and another 5 to 10 cm is possible by the end of Friday. All this new snow sits on surface hoar crystals that overly soft or wind affect snow on northerly alpine terrain or a hard melt-freeze crust elsewhere. Thicker deposits may be found in lee terrain features near ridgetop. Sun-exposed slopes could moisten with daytime heating, particularly if the skies clear.
Weak faceted grains above a hard crust that formed in early February is buried around 100 to 150 cm deep. The layer is strengthening and is currently dormant.
The remainder of the snowpack is settled.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New slabs could remain touchy to riders. They rest on weak layers on northerly aspects and a hard crust elsewhere. Deeper deposits could be found in lee terrain features near ridgetop.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Loose Wet
Wet loose activity on sun-exposed slopes is possible during the heat of the day, particularly if the sun comes out.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5