Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Be especially cautious in wind-affected terrain, where human-triggering is more likely.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle occurred Tuesday night during the storm where numerous slab avalanches were triggered over steep northerly alpine terrain. Skiers triggered loose dry and loose wet avalanches on steep slopes on Wednesday around Duffey Lake.
If you go into the backcountry, please consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 30 cm of new snow has accumulated at higher elevations, with greater amounts found in leeward alpine terrain. This overlies a moist snow surface or a crust on all aspects, except north-facing alpine slopes where dry snow was found before the storm.
The facet/crust layer that produced large avalanches during early March is buried 80-150 cm deep. While no recent avalanche activity has been observed on this layer, it continues to produce concerning snowpack test results. It has become a low-probability, high-consequence problem on north-facing slopes above 2000 m.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy with convective flurries, 0 to 3 cm of accumulation. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Thursday
Partly cloudy with convective flurries, 0 to 3 cm of accumulation. 30 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to +5 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.
Saturday
Partly cloud with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
- Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
- Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent storm and wind slabs exist at higher elevations and will need time to settle. Be especially cautious as you transition into leeward terrain, where deeper, more reactive slabs have formed.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Concern remains for human-triggering a persistent weak layer on sheltered north aspects above 2000 m. If triggered, avalanches will be large and destructive. Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5