Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cariboos, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Premier, Quesnel, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Southwest wind, recent snowfall, and warm temperatures may create reactive wind slabs.
Seek sheltered terrain for the best and safest riding.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday there were reports of two wind slab avalanches. Both occurred in the alpine on northwest aspects. The depth of these avalanches was 30 to 40 cm. There was no involvement in either instance.
On Wednesday, a few natural thin windslab avalanches were observed in the alpine. A siker accidental size 1.5 wind slab avalanche was reported on a northeast slope at 2150 m.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, avalanche or snowpack observations, or even just a photo.
Snowpack Summary
By Sunday morning up to 10 cm of recent storm snow adds to 10 to 30 cm of previous snow that is wind affected in open areas and preserved in sheltered areas above treeline. This overlies a widespread crust on most aspects except north-facing high alpine slopes, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces.
The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is still a concern in shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with some clear periods, 5 cm accumulation with more in the north, winds southwest 50 to 60 km/h, freezing levels 1500 to 1000 m.
Sunday
Cloudy, around 5 cm accumulation, winds southwest 60 to 70 km/h, freezing levels potentially getting up to 2000 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud, up to 15 cm accumulation by the morning, winds southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50, freezing levels back up to 1600 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud, 2 to 5 cm accumulation, winds southwest 25 km/h, freezing levels to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for isolated pockets of fresh windslab that may be reactive to human triggering in steep north and east facing, leeward slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth.
Thinner snowpack areas may be more suspectable to triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5
Loose Wet
Raising temperatures and recent snowfall may create the conditions for wet loose avalanches that could pose a serious risk in specific terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5