Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Dogtooth, Esplanade, Glacier, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Selkirk, South Columbia, West Purcell.
40 cm or more of storm snow and wind have formed reactive slabs.
Expect human triggering of large avalanches to remain likely.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday numerous natural occurring large to very large (size 2 -3.5) both persistent and storm slab avalanches where reported. Many of these avalanches occurred in the alpine and ran over 1000 m to the valley bottom. In one instance the debris flow ran 250 m up the other side of the valley. Extensive explosive avalanche control produced widespread large to very large (size 2-3.5) slab avalanches.
Large human-triggered avalanches continue to remain likely.
Snowpack Summary
On Friday another 5 cm of snow fell and now overlies, between 20 to 50 cm of new snow that fell on Thursday. Moderate gusting to strong southwest winds have formed new wind slabs. Over the past 7 days, up to 100 cm of storm snow has accumulated and it overlies a hard melt-freeze crust and surface hoar crystals in wind-sheltered areas.
Weak layers of surface hoar and/or faceted grains, buried in mid-February and late January, are found 60 to 150 cm deep.
The lower half of the snowpack remains strong.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with afternoon sun, 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with afternoon sun, 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with afternoon sun 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow and wind have formed reactive new slabs. Expect windslab avalanches to be present on North through to east aspect terrain near or just below ridge crests.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers from January and February could still be triggered, particularly at upper treeline and alpine elevations. Storm slab avalanches could step down to these layers, forming very large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5