Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Kokanee, Retallack, South Columbia, Valhalla, Whatshan.
A dangerous weak layer is deep in the snowpack.
Continue to make conservative decisions and be alert to the possibility of remote-triggering slopes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Every day since Friday a large remote-triggered avalanche or natural avalanche has failed on the early December layer.
Friday: London Ridge, size 3 avalanche at 2220 m on an east-facing slope.
Saturday: west of Meadow Creek, size 2 at 2280 m on a north-facing slope.
Sunday: west of Revelstoke, size 1.5 at 2200 m on a north-facing slope.
Monday: two size 2 natural avalanches on northeast aspects. At 2400 m and 2200 m.
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find 20 to 50 cm of settling snow in sheltered areas and wind slabs on lee slopes below peaks and ridgelines. On sun-affected slopes, the recent snow covers a melt-freeze crust.
A concerning layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried 70 to 120 cm. It is most likely to be a problem on north through east aspects between 1700 to 2300 m.
Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 180 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with up to 1 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Large persistent slab avalanches continue to occur daily. It has been most reactive on north through east slopes between 1700 and 2300 m. Most activity has been in the east of the forecast area.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Storm Slabs
Fresh snow may need more time to settle and stabilize. Wind slabs may have formed on leeward slopes and in cross-loaded terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2