Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Okanagan, North Selkirk, Shuswap, South Columbia, Whatshan.
Look for changing conditions and signs of instability as you gain elevation.
Wind slab and surface hoar layers may still be reactive to rider traffic.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several size 1 skier triggered wind and storm slab avalanches were reported on Friday. No persistent slab avalanches have been reported in this region for about a week however they continue to be reported in neighboring regions.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow has been redistributed into wind slab near ridge crests by southerly winds. Below treeline a new crust is on or near the surface.
The mid pack contains several layers of note; a layer of surface hoar and a crust down 20 to 50 cm, a significant crust from the early December rain event down around 60 cm and a layer of surface hoar down 60 to 100 cm.
The make up of the lower snowpack is variable throughout the region but is generally not concerning at this time.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly clear skies with valley fog, no new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -12°C.
Sunday
Mostly clear skies with valley fog, no new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, temperature inversion possible, treeline temperature -8°C.
Monday
Mostly sunny, no new snow expected, south alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, temperature inversion possible, treeline temperature -8°C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, temperature inversion possible, treeline temperature -4°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar is down 60 to 100 cm in the snowpack. This layer is still concerning where a significant crust is not found above it.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may have formed on lee features in exposed terrain at treeline and above.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5