Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Blue River, Central Selkirk, Clemina, Esplanade, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Retallack, South Columbia, Valhalla, West Purcell, Whatshan.
Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive on lee features below alpine ridgetops.
Avoid steep, rocky, and wind affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were reported on sunny aspects on Friday.
Several natural and rider triggered wind slabs up to size 1.5 were also reported on northerly aspects in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
High freezing levels and strong solar radiation have created moist snow on all aspects and elevations.
Up to 40 cm of recent snow has settled rapidly with intense solar radiation and warm temperatures.
Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive on lee features below alpine ridgetops.
A series of crusts exist in the upper snowpack.
Expect difficult travel at lower elevations with thin snow coverage.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 3 to 5 cm snow. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive on lee features below alpine ridgetops.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
High freezing levels and strong solar radiation increase the likelihood of cornice failure.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Loose Wet
High freezing levels and strong solar radiation will trigger wet loose avalanches on all aspects and elevations on Sunday.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5