Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Columbia.
Confidence
Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Very light snowfall / Light northeast winds / Freezing level at 1400mMonday: Mix of sun and clouds / Light east winds / Freezing level at 1400mTuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Calm winds / Freezing level at 1600m
Avalanche Summary
Observations are becoming more limited; however a size 2 natural wind slab avalanche was observed on a lee alpine feature on Friday. A size 2 slab was also ski cut on a steep southeast facing convex roll. Surface hoar was the suspected interface.I would expect ongoing storm instabilities in the wake of new snow and wind on Friday night.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to locally heavy snowfall on Friday night has created touchy new storm/wind slabs, especially near ridge top. This will add to existing storm slab and wind slab problems at alpine and treeline elevations. A surface hoar interface is buried within the upper metre or so of the snowpack, mainly on high-elevation northerly aspects. It may be slowly gaining some strength, but these slopes should still be treated with suspicion. On other slopes, recent storm snow overlies a crust, with a variable bond. At low elevations, moderate accumulations overlie previously rain-soaked snow which is now refrozen and strong.Recent wind and snow has added to the size and fragility of large cornices.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 4
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 6