Avalanche Forecast

A weak ridge of high pressure will strengthen over the BC interior Friday and generate strong outflow winds along with residual flurries. Snow is expected for Saturday as a strong warm front will impact the region, with significant warming temperatures and a potential above freezing layer Sunday.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Flurries / Freezing level at valley bottom / Strong west wind gusting to 70 km/h / Low of -24

SATURDAY: Flurries / 10-15 cm overnight / Freezing level at valley bottom / Strong southwest wind peaking to 80 km/h overnight / High of -12

SUNDAY: Flurries / Freezing level at valley bottom / Possible freezing rain at night / Strong south wind gusting at 60 km/h / High of -6

MONDAY: Snow starting in the afternoon / Freezing level rising to 1500 m / Strong south wind / High of -3

No new avalanches were reported in the last 24 hours. The limited visibility in the alpine restricted observations on Thursday, but we suspect some natural avalanche activity occurred.

A large persistent slab avalanche was observed in the region on Dec 29. It was believed to have released naturally around 2200 m on a steep northwest-facing slope. Since then, there has been no reported persistent slab activity.

If you go out in the mountains, consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network.

The region received 15 to 25 cm of low-density and constant 50 km/h southerly wind since the start of the storm Wednesday night. This new snow adds up to the previous snow (30-70 cm) that has fallen since Jan 1. 

In open terrain, this recent snow has been redistributed by strong winds. Observations suggest this snow has been bonding to the older snow layers in most areas, but there are potentially some exceptions, such as western areas near Barkerville where it may sit above a spotty surface hoar layer. There have also been some isolated reports of buried surface hoar layers 45-80 cm deep in the Barkerville area, but no recent evidence that these layers are problematic.

The early December crust sits 80-150 cm deep in the snowpack, with a layer of faceted crystals above. This interface is present in the southeastern Cariboos (e.g. Clearwater to Blue River) but has not been recently reactive.

• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
• Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.