Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cariboos, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Quesnel, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers at upper elevations.
Watch for reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Friday.
On Thursday, several naturally triggered wind slabs up to size 2.5 were reported on west/southwest aspects in the alpine, near McBride.
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of snow sits over a crust in most areas, except shady aspects in the high alpine where soft or wind affected dry snow may be found.
A persistent weak layer from early March, 40 to 80 cm deep, most likely exists as surface hoar on sheltered north and east aspects at treeline and above. Its distribution is variable, and there have been no substantial reports of recent avalanches, but it should still be considered when evaluating slopes.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
Monday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
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.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be triggerable in leeward terrain features at upper elevations where the snow stayed dry during the warm weather this week.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Strong solar radiation may trigger small wet loose avalanches.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5