Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Coast Inland.
The current persistent slab problem is best managed through conservative terrain choices and disciplined backcountry travel techniques.
Avoid likely trigger spots such as steep, rocky terrain, with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast. Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy / Moderate, southwesterly winds / Low of -12 C / Freezing level surface.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy / Light, southwesterly winds / High of -5 C / Freezing level 500 m.
THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, northwesterly winds / High of -7 C / Freezing level 200 m.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate, northwesterly winds / High of -9 C / Freezing level surface m.
Avalanche Summary
Check out this recent MIN report of a naturally triggered size 3.5 storm slab avalanche reported on Sunday near Mt. Pierce.
In the neighboring Sea to Sky region, we received recent reports of four large (size 2-2.5) explosive-triggered persistent slab avalanches failing on the early December crust/facet layer. These occurred on northwest and northeast aspects in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
70-90 cm of recent snow and strong winds have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
In the north of the region, weak faceted snow can be found 50-70 cm deep on a crust that formed in early December. This layer has shown reactivity in the neighboring Sea to Sky region. This persistent slab problem warrants careful evaluation and conservative route-finding as the recent snow consolidates into a more cohesive slab over the weak layer.
The south of the region has seen substantially higher snow totals over the past week, with areas near the Coquilhalla seeing over a meter of accumulation since Monday. Expect to find deeper snow accumulations above the December crust and anticipate larger slab avalanches.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
In the north of the region, a layer of weak facets (sugary snow) can be found down 50-70 cm near a crust that formed in early December. In the neighboring Sea to Sky region, this layer has demonstrated recent instability, and it may be possible to trigger.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Wind Slabs
70-90 cm of recent snow and strong winds have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2