Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, South Columbia, Whatshan.
Avoid avalanche terrain. Stick to low angle slopes with no overhead hazard.
We expect a natural avalanche cycle will Occur throughout the day.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Over the past week, we've seen consistent avalanche activity on the mid January facet layer detailed in the snowpack summary. Widely propagating slabs have been triggered naturally, by riders and even remotely, size 1.5-2.5. This activity is expected to continue with additional snow/rain load this weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Light snowfall continues to accumulate in the alpine and be redistributed by southerly winds. Elevated freezing levels and rain have moistened the surface at treeline and below.
A layer of facets formed during the mid January cold snap can be found down 30-60 cm. This layer has been actively producing avalanches and is expected to continue as it is stressed by the new load.
In the Selkirks, another crust/facet/surface hoar layer buried in early January, now 60-90 cm deep remains on the radar.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected in the alpine, south alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, freezing level around 1800 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with light rain expected, southwest alpine wind 25 to 50 km/h, freezing level rising to around 3000 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow in the alpine, southwest alpine wind 40 to 60 km/h, freezing level around 2600 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow in the alpine, south alpine wind 25 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
- The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Rising freezing levels could keep the storm slab problem reactive. Storm slabs will be largest on northerly aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches are likely at all elevations in steep terrain. As temperatures rise throughout the day wet loose avalanches could increase in size.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely - Certain
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A layer of facets is buried around 50 cm deep. This layer may become increasingly reactive with new snow loads and warming temperatures this weekend.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3