Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
6am update: Heightened avalanche conditions exist on specific terrain features. On Tuesday, this includes small pockets of wind slab in immediate lees of ridgecrests and moistening snow on steep solar aspects during periods of strong sun.
Spring is a dynamic time of year where conditions can vary widely and change rapidly. Carefully assess your local conditions and pay attention to how the weather is affecting the snowpack throughout the day.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, solar-triggered loose wet avalanches were observed out of steep south aspects.
Over the weekend, loose dry avalanches were numerous, naturally and skier-triggered, size 1-2. Small wind slabs to size 1 were reported, triggered by sun, skiers and loose dry avalanches from above.
Snowpack Summary
A moist or crusty surface exists on solar aspects and low elevations. 15 to 20 cm of recent snow sits over a variety of surfaces including crust. Shady, wind sheltered areas at upper elevations hold dry, soft snow. Low elevations are melting out rapidly.
A weak layer of sugary facets is still prominent at the base of the snowpack. Although we haven't seen avalanche activity on it for some time, it could reactivate with sudden changes like prolonged or intense warming shocking the snowpack. Large loads like cornice falls are the most likely things to trigger this layer but human triggering may be possible in rocky, shallow, or thin-to-thick snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Partly cloudy. Light variable wind. Alpine low -12 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast wind. Alpine high of -2 °C. Freezing level rises to 1400 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind increasing to moderate. Alpine high of -1 °C. Freezing level rises to 1500 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine high 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
- Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely on steep solar aspects as the surface becomes moist or wet with strong sun.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Wind Slabs
Recent snow has seen mild wind effect. Wind slabs have been soft and specific to immediate lees of ridge crests. They could remain triggerable by riders on Tuesday.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5