Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Columbia.
Carefully monitor the change in snowpack conditions as you gain elevation and change aspects. Conditions will vary from one slope to another.
Confidence
Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
Friday night: Light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with light northwest winds. Low of -5 at 2000 m.
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow in the afternoon. Light northwest winds and freezing levels rising to 2200 m.
Sunday: Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Light to moderate south winds and freezing levels around 2300 m.
Monday: Cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow at higher elevations. Moderate south winds and freezing levels rising to 2000 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday several natural wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in the region. Small wet loose avalanches were also observed on solar aspects.
We suspect that rider triggerable wind slab will still be found in exposed alpine terrain. Wet loose avalanches will likely occur on solar aspects and on lower elevation terrain.
Snowpack Summary
On north aspects above 2000 m Around 30 cm of recent storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including wind effect and facets. Several crusts exist on solar aspects extending to mountain tops. Moist snow will likely be observed on solar aspects and at lower elevations.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. The snowpack deteriorates rapidly at lower elevations.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
rider triggerable wind slab can still be found in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Loose Wet
wet loose avalanches will likely occur in steep terrain as the sun comes out and the freezing level rises.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2