Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Cariboos, Clearwater, Clemina, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Premier, Quesnel, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Reactive wind slabs still exist at higher elevations, with potential to step down to buried weak layers.
Wind has varied throughout the region; assess your local conditions as you travel.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Widespread natural wind slab activity was reported on Friday from strong westerly winds. Several were observed to have stepped down to buried weak layers, producing avalanches to size 3.5. Cornice falls were also observed as triggers.
Snowpack Summary
Upper elevations hold wind affected surfaces. A crust likely exists on the surface on south facing slopes to mountain top, and on all aspects below 1900 m.
A layer of surface hoar, facet, and crust layer is buried 60 to 120 cm deep. Recent avalanches have likely stepped down to this layer, it also remains a possibility for triggering with heavy loads like cornice falls.
The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly clear skies with 20 to 30 km/h westerly ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing levels reach 2000 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing levels reach 2200 m.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing levels 2000 m.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with flurries. 40 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing levels 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Reactive wind slabs linger on north and east facing slopes at upper elevations. Wind slabs may step down to persistent weak layers producing very large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Very large natural persistent slab avalanches have recently been reported, primarily on northerly aspects in the alpine.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches become more likely on sun affected slopes if the surface crust breaks down.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2