Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

A ridge of high pressure will remain imbedded over the region for the forecast period. Winds will be mostly light and southwesterly with alpine temperatures remaining well below freezing.

Since the recent warming, numerous large and destructive avalanches (to size 3.5) were reported in the region. Most of the avalanches were specific to south-facing alpine features. Some of these avalanches were initiated by cornice fall. Others were loose, wet avalanches that, in some cases, stepped down to basal weaknesses. On Saturday a skier was injured in an avalanche near Kimberley. Details were patchy at the time this bulletin was written. I expect that avalanche activity will decrease with forecast cooling.

The big story has been the recent weather. Over the weekend sun exposed slopes at upper elevations became moist and cornices weakened due to solar radiation and increased alpine temperatures. With forecast cooling these slopes will gain strength and a crust will develop on most slopes that were sun-affected.On shaded aspects, lingering wind or storm slabs should have gained considerable strength, but may show sensitivity to rider triggers; especially on steeper slopes and convex rolls. Below this sits a fairly well settled mid-pack. There are, however, a few exceptions. The Jan. 13th SH/FC combo has been reactive. As well, the mid December facet/surface hoar layer is buried approx. 80 cm on the east side and 200+ cm on the west side and has been more reactive in the Purcells than any other region. There are also basal facets at the ground which will continue to remain a concern, especially in the thin snowpack parts of the region. Snowpack depths at 2000m sit near 2m deep. If you're traveling around the mountains, it's a good time to take notice of what layers are developing (surface hoar/ crusts) that may become an issue once buried.