Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cariboos, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Quesnel, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl.
Be cautious in areas that look wind loaded, pillowed, or extra thick.
Continued snow and wind have made wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, a small (size 1) storm slab avalanche was reported around the Barkerville area. There was another report of a small (size 1) reactive storm slab avalanche around Wells on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
10 cm of new snow is now resting on a previous 20 cm that was redistributed by strong northeast wind. This upper 30 cm of recent snow may bond poorly to underlying layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and wind-pressed snow.
A thin breakable crust has been reported on the surface at lower elevations in the Sugarbowl area.
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 and Quesnel / Williams Lake areas, a layer of small surface hoar or facets has been observed near the crust.
The midpack is reportedly strong and bonded.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C, except 0 °C around Wells/ Barkerville with an above freezing layer between 1300-1600 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, west alpine wind 20-40 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with an above freezing layer between 900-1600 m.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud with flurries, southwest alpine wind 30-40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels rising to 1400 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm snow, southwest alpine wind 20-50 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels rising to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
- Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate southwest winds have continued in the alpine and upper treeline forming windslabs on north and east aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2