Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Cariboos, Clearwater, Clemina, McBride, North Monashee, Premier, Quesnel.
Recent avalanche activity indicates an unstable snowpack & remote-triggering remains a serious concern.
Stick to conservative terrain and practice good travel habits.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
In the past few days, many natural and rider-triggered wind slab and persistent slab avalanches have been reported, up to size 3.
Evidence indicates wind slabs and persistent weak layers remain primed for human triggering. Similar activity is expected on Saturday with continued wind, warming, and potential for strong sun.
Read more in our Forecasters' Blog.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 50 cm of settling storm snow rests on a weak layer of facets or surface hoar, while elsewhere it overlies a widespread crust. At lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, warm temperatures and solar radiation resulted in a crust or moist snow on the surface. Additional weak layers formed in January are found at varying depths within the upper 100 cm of snow. These include weak faceted snow, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, and surface hoar in shaded terrain. Otherwise, the mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Partially cloudy. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 mm of precipitation. 15 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
- Stay away from steep slopes, open slopes, and convex rolls at and below treeline where weak layers may be preserved.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Southwesterly winds built wind slabs on leeward northerly and easterly slopes. If triggered, wind slab avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers formed in January persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. The more the snowpack warms up and weakens over these layers, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5