Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
While the best riding conditions may be found on north facing, alpine slopes - persistent weak layers may still be reactive here.
Watch for changing surface conditions on sunny slopes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A close call size 1 rider triggered slab was reported on Thursday (photo below). While the slab was only 10 cm deep, this shows the potential of small avalanches in steep or unsupported terrain features.
While there has been minimal avalanche activity over the past week, professionals in the region are still weary of the persistent slab problem.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of recent snow can be found over a widespread crust, south/southwest winds have redistributed this snow into wind slabs around ridgelines on north facing slopes at treeline and above. Surface snow may become moist on steep sun affected slopes.
The facet/crust layer that produced large avalanches during early March is buried 80-150 cm deep. While no recent avalanche activity has been observed on this layer, it continues to produce concerning snowpack test results. It has become a low-probability, high-consequence problem on north-facing slopes above 2000 m.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clear skies. 10-20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Freezing levels drop to 500 m.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 10-20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 40-50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rises to 2500 m in the afternoon, bringing treeline temperatures to +8 °C.
Monday
Freezing levels remain around 2500 m overnight and throughout Monday. Sunny. 20-30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures near +8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
- Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches are most likely on steep, sun affected slopes. Avalanches may initiate easily on the smooth crust below.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
Concern remains for human-triggering a persistent weak layer on sheltered north aspects above 2000 m. If triggered, avalanches will be large and destructive. Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3