Avalanche Forecast

There are limited observations from the far northern end of the forecast region, however, a reactive layer of surface hoar buried under the recent storm snow was reported near the Homathko Icefield. On Wednesday, skiers found a reactive layer of surface hoar buried 65 cm deep below the recent storm snow, and observed natural avalanches to size 3.

On Wednesday, dry loose natural avalanches were seen from steep terrain up to size 1.5. A skier-controlled size 1 wind slab and several natural cornice failures up to size 2 were also reported.

On Tuesday, several skier-controlled slab avalanches (size 1.5) were reported on wind-loaded features at treeline and above. Dry loose sluffing was noted from steep northeast terrain up to size 1.5.

On Monday, several natural cornice falls were reported in the northern part of the region up to size 2.5.

On Sunday, a natural large size three, wind slab avalanche was observed. It started in a cross-loaded feature in the alpine and it may have stepped down to weaker buried layers.

Natural and human-triggered avalanche activity may be seen throughout the weekend with rising freezing levels and solar radiation.

In sunny areas, surface snow will likely become moist to ridgetop on solar aspects by the afternoon. Cornices loom over ridgelines and may become weak during periods of solar radiation and warming.

30-50 cm of recent storm snow sits above a sun crust on steep solar aspects, dryer low-density snow, and older faceted snow in sheltered areas. Much of this has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs at treeline and above.

The mid-snowpack is well consolidated.

There is a widespread weak layer of large sugary facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Recent avalanche activity on this layer has been confined to northern parts of the region in the Chilcotins. This layer remains a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

Friday night

Scattered clouds and starry breaks. Treeline low temperatures -9. South wind 10-20 km/hr. Freezing level below 1000 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. South wind 10-20 km/hr. Treeline high temperature +2. Freezing level 1700 m.

Increasing cloudiness, and possible flurries later in the day. Southeast wind 10-20 km/hr. Treeline high temperature +1. Freezing level 1600 m.

Flurries, up to 5 cm. South wind 10-20 km/hr. Treeline high temperature 0. Freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.