Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Compare what you're seeing in the field to what the forecast says.
If it doesn't match up, change your plan and choose a more conservative zone.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A few small, wet loose avalanches were reported on Monday. As well as some large cornices failing naturally.
Snowpack Summary
The upper snowpack consists of:
Thin sun-crusts on steep slopes facing the sun.
Large surface hoar growing in sheltered spots
Sugary facets near the surface from large day-night temperature swings.
A second crust is buried 60 to 100 cm deep and may have a layer of surface hoar sitting above it. Recent tests show this layer is improving.
The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled.
Snow depths at treeline are roughly 100 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 1 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 15 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Small wind slabs may be possible to trigger in extreme terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5