Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Spearhead, Stein, Taseko.
Take care around ridgelines where wind slabs may linger.
Minimize your exposure to sun affected slopes. Sunshine and rising temperatures will increase the potential for wet avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity was reported on Thursday. Earlier in the weak cornice falls triggered slabs on the slopes below, on north facing alpine slopes.
Snowpack Summary
5-10 cm of settling storm snow sits over old snow surfaces, and a crust on sun affected slopes. On north facing slopes near ridgelines, deeper deposits of snow can be found - while south facing slopes may hold hard, wind pressed surfaces or a crust.
Below treeline elevations have minimal snow cover, if any at all. Expect challenging travel conditions with hazards like rocks, stumps and open creeks.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clear skies. 10-20 km/h westerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level drops to 1000 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10-30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature reaches a high of +5 °C. Freezing level rises to 2500 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 20-40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level drops over the day to 2100 m.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 20-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level drops to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snowfall and southwest winds have formed wind slabs in north and east facing terrain features in the alpine and treeline.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Expect wet slab and wet loose avalanches on steep, sun affected slopes as temperatures rise. Avalanches are expected to initiate easily on the crust below.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2