Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Dangerous and challenging avalanche conditions exist. Uncertainty is best managed by choosing simple, low-angle terrain and avoiding being under steep slopes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several size 2 human-triggered avalanches were reported over the weekend. They occurred both within storm snow layers (40 to 60 cm deep) and on the persistent weak layer (100 cm deep). Riders also reported whumpfing and cracking.
Snowpack Summary
Storm slabs will grow with another pulse of snow and wind expected on Tuesday. Recent storm totals are now 40 to 60 cm, with alpine terrain heavily wind-affected. Storm snow covers a variety of layers including surface hoar in isolated shady areas.
A weak layer composed of facets on a crust is buried 80 to 150 cm deep. This layer remains sensitive to both human and natural triggers and is capable of producing large avalanches.
The lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 45 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries throughout the morning with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C with freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C with freezing level rising to 3000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow and wind will form reactive slabs on Monday night. Slabs will be widespread in areas that receive more than 20 cm of new snow, while other areas will primarily have slabs on wind-loaded slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers are most concerning at treeline elevations. Small slab avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in large, destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3