Avalanche Forecast

We’re looking at dribs and drabs of snow through the weekend before the pattern gives way to a ridge of high pressure on Monday.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, light northwest wind with potentially stronger wind at ridge top, 2 to 6 cm of snow possible. 

FRIDAY: Overcast, freezing level at valley bottom, light west/northwest wind at most elevations with strong northwest wind at ridge top, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible.

SATURDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, light southwest wind at most elevations with stronger gusts at ridge top, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible.

SUNDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, light west wind at most elevations with moderate west/northwest wind at the highest ridge tops, trace of snow possible.

On Wednesday a large natural avalanche (size 2.5) was observed on an east facing slope at 2150 m. Natural wind slabs to size 1.5 were observed in wind loaded terrain near Valemount on a variety of aspects, see this great MIN post for photos. In the Gorge area there was a human triggered avalanche near the road, but it sounds like everyone is okay.

On Tuesday, numerous natural storm slabs up to size 3 and skier triggered up to size 1.5 were reported throughout the region on all aspects and elevations. Here is one excellent example from the Gorge area and another from Corbin Pass.

On Monday, several skier triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2 on surface hoar were reported in the gorge area and natural avalanches up to size 3.5 were reported just east of the region in glacier national park.

A widespread natural cycle and numerous skier triggered storm slab avalanches up size 2 were reported on all aspects in the Gorge area west of Revelstoke on Sunday. These storm slab avalanches were running on a weak layer of surface hoar that was buried by the recent storm. See one of numerous MIN reports Here.

Touchy storm slabs are sitting on a very weak layer of surface hoar which is likely to be reactive to human triggers. Avalanches may be larger than expected due to the presence of this weak layer.

60-90 cm. of recent snow, warm temperatures, and moderate, southerly winds have formed touchy storm slabs. These storm slabs are sitting on multiple weak layers of surface hoar which have potential to surprise backcountry users by how easily they may be triggered and how wide the slabs propagate across slopes. The first sits below the recent snow and the second is around 10-30 cm. deeper.

A third layer of surface hoar can be found on wind sheltered open slopes at treeline and below down 90-120 cm. in some areas. Large triggers, new snow loads, and/or warm temperatures have the potential to awaken these deeper persistent weak layers.

The lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong. 

• Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
• Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.