Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system. Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

  

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Snow; 5-15 cm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / Alpine low -12 / Freezing level 500 m.

THURSDAY: Snow; 10-15 cm, with another 5-10 cm. overnight / Moderate, west ridgetop wind / Alpine high -5 / Freezing level 1100 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm. / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / Alpine high -7 / Freezing level 900 m.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / Alpine high -7 / Freezing level 800 m.

On Tuesday, touchy conditions including a natural size 3 wind slab and a rider remotely triggered 1.5 wind slab were reported northwest of Pemberton Meadows. Strong southwest winds have created thick wind slabs at upper elevations that may remain reactive to human triggers.

The incoming snow and strong southwest winds Wednesday night/Thursday are expected to form storm slabs reactive to human triggers.

The incoming snow and strong southwest winds Wednesday night/Thursday are expected to form storm slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain.

Weather stations suggest snowfall amounts from the weekend are 30-50 cm in the Cascades, 20-30 cm at the Duffey, 30-50 cm northwest of Pemberton, and 10-20 cm in the Chilcotin. In all parts of the region, alpine terrain will be heavily wind affected after strong to extreme southwest winds. Freezing levels reached 1500 m during the storm, so expect a rain crust at lower elevations. Recent weather has helped strengthen the lower snowpack including previous layers of concern.

• Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
• Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
• Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
• Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.