Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, North Rockies, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Rising freezing levels and rain destabilize the upper snowpack. Stick to conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazard.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few wind slab avalanches were reported east of Prince George on Thursday. They were skier-controlled size 1.5 on steep north-facing convex rolls, running on the January facet layer.
Observations are limited in the region. If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Snow surfaces are becoming moist as freezing levels creep up the mountain.
20-40 cm of snow sits over a layer of facets formed during the mid January cold snap. Bonding at this interface varies through the region.
A prominent crust is found 30 to 50 cm deep. It extends up to 1900 m in the Cariboos and up to 1400 m around Pine Pass. In the Sugarbowl area, a layer of small surface hoar or facets has been observed near the crust.
The midpack is generally strong and well bonded, except for areas east of the Divide, where the snowpack is shallow and faceted with depths of 60 to 100 cm around treeline.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
5-10 mm of mixed precipitation. Southwest alpine wind 50-70 km/h. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing up to 5 mm of mixed precipitation. Southwest alpine wind 40-50 km/h. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2200 m, rising to 3000 m overnight.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. Southwest alpine wind 70-90 km/h. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing level 3000 m dropping to 2300 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Southwest alpine wind 30-50 km/h. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Extra caution for areas experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Previously formed wind slabs sit over a weak layer of facets. They will likely become increasingly reactive with warming temperatures and rain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely as temperatures rise above freezing.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5