Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Cariboos, Clearwater, Clemina, McBride, North Monashee, Premier, Quesnel.
This is a period of rapid change for the snowpack.
Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist with the arrival of new snow, mild temperatures, and increasing wind.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Friday: One large (size 2) remote triggered avalanche was reported on a north facing slope at treeline.
Thursday: Several skier-triggered and natural wind slab avalanches were reported, up to size 2. Occurring on northwest through east aspects, in treeline or alpine terrain.
With more snow, wind, and warm temperatures in the forecast, we anticipate natural avalanche activity to increase in the coming days.
Snowpack Summary
New snow is accumulating across the region (10 to 40cm), burying various surfaces, including old wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, and weak surface hoar or faceted grains in sheltered areas.
Layers from dry conditions 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.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with 15 to 30 cm of snow except 5 to 10 cm in the south west of the region. 30 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
- Avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow is building fresh storm slabs on the surface at all elevations. These will be particularly reactive in wind-exposed terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers from recent dry, clear, and cold conditions persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. These layers could become more reactive with the added stress of new snow and warming temperatures.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5