Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Take care around ridgelines where wind slabs may linger.
Minimize your exposure to sun affected slopes. Sunshine and rising temperatures will increase the potential for wet avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday a rider accidentally triggered a size 1 wind slab near ridgeline on a north facing slope.
Sun and rising temperatures produced loose wet activity on many steep slopes. We expect this to continue as temperatures remain high.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of moist or wet snow exists on sun affected slopes, and shaded aspects to around 2000 m. This surface snow may not refreeze overnight leading to soft and slushy conditions, ideal for wet snow avalanches. On north facing slopes near ridgelines, deposits of dry snow can be found, affected by the previous strong southwesterly winds.
Check out this MIN from Mt Matier.
Below treeline elevations have minimal snow cover, if any at all. Expect challenging travel conditions with hazards like rocks, stumps and open creeks.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly clear skies. 10-30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level remains above 2000 m in some areas.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures range from +7 to +2 °C. Freezing level peaks at 2500 m and then drops to 1800 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 20-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level drops to 1500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10-20 km/h northerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level around 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs remain reactive on shaded, high elevation slopes where dry snow can still be found. On these slopes cornices can also be found, likely weak from strong sunshine and warm temperatures.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Loose Wet
Avalanches are most likely on steep, sun affected slopes as temperatures remain high.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5