Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Central Selkirk, Clearwater, Clemina, Esplanade, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Premier, South Columbia, Whatshan.
It's an appropriate time to consider bigger terrain.
Carefully check for wind slabs before committing yourself to a consequential feature.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Monday and Tuesday, a few small to large (up to size 2) natural and human triggered wind slab avalanches were reported. Also, there were several reports of small, loose avalanches on steep slopes facing the sun.
Additionally, there were a couple reports of glide cracks opening up and glide slab avalanches up to size 2. This problem is likely to exist only in these isolated features, but we'll see if a pattern emerges.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 30 cm of recent snow covers a thin crust in some areas. Moderate southwest and west winds may have formed wind slabs on lee slopes at high elevations. A spotty layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) is found 40 to 50 cm deep. On south-facing slopes, this layer may be a crust.
A crust/facet/surface hoar layer (buried in early December) may be found 90 to 160 cm deep. It was previously most active south of Highway 5, but it no longer seems to be an avalanche problem for this forecast area.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind, dying down overnight. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Partly cloudy. 10-20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion above 1500 m. Treeline temperature-3 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, possible hotspots of 25 cm or more. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Temperature inversion breaks down. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
- Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Human triggerable wind slabs may be found below ridgetops and in cross-loaded terrain. They may be more reactive where they have formed in shallow, rocky terrain with a more faceted snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2