Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Columbia.
Confidence
High
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: A mix on sun and cloud with isolated light flurries. Freezing levels dropping to 1200m and light southwesterly winds. SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud but mainly dry. Freezing levels dropping to 1000m and light northwesterly winds. SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud and mainly dry with freezing levels dropping below valley bottoms and light northwesterly winds.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Wednesday include a isolated storm and wind slab avalanches up to Size 2 from natural, skier and explosive triggers.
Snowpack Summary
Weaknesses exist within and under the 30-50cm of recent storm snow, which is particularly deep and touchy on wind-loaded slopes in alpine and exposed treeline areas, and bonding poorly to buried surface hoar where it wasn't destroyed by wind or a crust at lower elevations. The persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar, sun crusts, rime crusts and/or facets that was buried in early January is now down about 50-100 cm. The overlying slab remains primed for triggering and is especially touchy at and below treeline. Below that, the snowpack is well settled and strong.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 5