Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Cariboos, Clearwater, Clemina, McBride, North Monashee, Premier, Quesnel, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl.
Cornices continue to grow with new snow and wind, this new growth is overhanging and may break off naturally. Avoid exposure to steep open slopes where there is exposure to cornices.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Reports of natural and cornice-triggered wind slabs continue to trickle in reminding us that human triggering of these layers remains possible.
Going forward new snow and continued winds will build new wind slabs over old wind slabs that remain reactive to large loads.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 15 to 20 cm of new snow coupled with moderate west winds will be developing new wind slabs at treeline and alpine elevations. A thin surface crust can be found on steep solar aspects. Below this, the upper snowpack continues to settle and bond to previous surfaces.
The mid-pack is showing signs of strengthening. A surface hoar layer down roughly 60 to 80 cm has not produced avalanches recently but can still be found in isolated terrain features specifically sheltered, treeline, and upper below treeline.
The lower snowpack is composed of large and weak facets from November located near the base of the snowpack. Additional load or step-down avalanches over the next few days may wake this layer up.
Weather Summary
Thursday night
Mainly cloudy, snowfall easing accumulation 3 to 5 cm, 20 to 30 km/h westerly winds, treeline temperatures -10 °C.
Friday
Mostly clear increasing clouds overnight, isolated flurries, increasingly snowy overnight into Saturday morning 4 to 6 cm accumulation, 20 to 30 km/h west winds, treeline temperatures -10 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with snowfall easing in the afternoon, 4 to 6 cm accumulation, 15 to 20 km/h west winds, treeline temperatures -8 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with snowfall, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, 20 to 30 km/h west winds, treeline temperatures -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent new snow and westerly winds are forming wind slabs in lee terrain features in open areas at treeline and alpine elevations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer of large and weak facets sits near the base of the snowpack. This layer is most prominent in upper treeline and alpine elevations. Riders are most likely to trigger an avalanche on this layer in steep, shallow terrain. Your best defence is to stay diligent in choosing low-consequence terrain away from overhead exposure.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5