Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Monday, wet loose avalanches (size 1) were reported out of steep south-facing slopes throughout the region.

Several natural and human-triggered cornice failures (size 1 and 2) were reported, like this massive one from the Joffre Lake area.

Thanks for sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network when going into the backcountry.

A typical spring diurnal cycle is underway.

High freezing levels have formed a surface crust everywhere except possibly the highest north-facing terrain, where dry snow is ready to get transported by winds.

The snowpack is generally well-settled and strong, although dormant weak layers may still exist in shallow inland areas like the Duffey and Chilcotin.

Sustained high freezing levels with poor overnight recovery have the potential to awaken dormant weak layers.

Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.

Tuesday Night

Clear. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Wednesday

Sunny. 30 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Friday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 3200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
• Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.