Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to extremely variable snowpack conditions reported through the region.

Wednesday Night: Mainly cloudy, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine high -5.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light southeast wind, alpine high -3 freezing level 900m.

Friday: Flurries, 3-5 cm, moderate southerly wind, alpine high -3, freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light south wind, alpine high -3, freezing level 1000 m.

Reports from Wednesday include a human triggered size 2 storm slab avalanche at 2000 m on a north aspect in the Duffy Lake area. As well a few natural size 1-1.5 naturally triggered windslabs in the alpine. On Tuesday there was a size 2 persistent slab avalanche reported on Tuesday on Joffre Shoulder. See this MIN report for more details.

 

Over the weekend, a large natural storm slab avalanche cycle was observed up to size 3 in much of the region and up to size 4 near Pemberton.

Persistent slab avalanche activity has tapered significantly since the cycle early last week, but persistent slabs size 2-2.5 were still triggerable by explosives on weekend.

Over 70 cm of recent snow in the past week has seen extensive wind affect at upper elevations, with scoured windward aspects, wind slabs in lee features and growing cornices at ridgetop. In sheltered areas below treeline, recent snow may be sitting on surface hoar. 

A melt-freeze crust from early December is found around 80 to 180 cm deep in the snowpack. This crust may have surface hoar or sugary faceted grains sitting above it. This persistent weak layer is most prevalent in the north (e.g., Duffey Lake, Hurley) and found to a lesser extent in the south of the region.

• Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.