Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Blue River, Cariboos, Central Selkirk, Clearwater, Clemina, Esplanade, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Premier, Quesnel, Retallack, Shuswap, South Columbia, Whatshan.
Start your day early and watch the crust closely.
As it breaks down, reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Wet loose avalanches have been occurring daily on steep slopes facing the sun. Mostly small, but some large avalanches (size 2 to 3).
Snowpack Summary
A thin surface crust is expected to cover up to 25 cm of recent snow at upper elevations. This snow overlies a robust crust buried around 20 to 30 cm, which is everywhere except northerly aspects in the alpine.
The mid and lower snowpack has no layers of concern.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.
Monday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
- Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
- Avalanche danger will increase as the surface crust breaks down.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wet Slabs
Multiple days of warm temperatures and minimal overnight cooling may cause large, wet slab avalanches.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will become more likely as the sun and warmth affect the snowpack. Start early, and avoid the hottest part of the day.
If there is a thick surface crust, wet avalanches are unlikely.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Cornices
Large cornices hang over many ridges and are more likely to collapse during warm, sunny weather.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5