Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cariboos, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Premier, Quesnel, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Use caution on north and east alpine slopes where strong winds are building fresh wind slabs that are possible to human trigger.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in the region on Thursday.
On Wednesday, a few natural thin windslab avalanches were observed in the alpine. A siker accidental size 1.5 wind slab avalanche was reported on a northeast slope at 2150m.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, avalanche or snowpack observations, or even just a photo.
Snowpack Summary
+5 cm of recent storm snow adds to 10-30 cm of previous snow that is wind affected in open areas and preserved in sheltered areas above treeline. This overlies a widespread crust on most aspects except north-facing high alpine slopes, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces.
The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is still a concern in shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mainly cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries, 1-4 cm accumulation. Ridgetop wind 40-60 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels will fluctuate around 800-1300 m. Treeline temperature low of -3 °C.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Ridgetop wind 50-70 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels 1600 m. Treeline temperature high of 0 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with scattered flurries, 1-4 cm accumulation. Ridgetop wind 60-80 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels of 2000 m.
Flurries continue through the night bringing 7-11 cm of new snow.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Ridgetop wind 30 km/h from the west. Freezing levels of 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for isolated pockets of fresh windslab that may be reactive to human triggering in steep north and east facing, leeward slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth.
Thinner snowpack areas may be more suspectable to triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5