Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Large rider, natural and explosives triggered persistent slab avalanches continue to be reported throughout the region. Some avalanches have run full path to valley bottom. Many human triggered avalanches have been remotely triggered (from a distance).

Last Sunday a fatal avalanche incident occurred north of Revelstoke. It was size 2 persistent slab avalanche on a northeast aspect at 2000 m. View the report.

A crust could be found on steep south and west facing terrain and will likely become moist with solar input. Wind slab are likely to be found on all aspects in exposed with the wind blowing from a variety of directions.

50 to 120 cm overlies a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 80 to 160 cm deep and extends up to 2400 m. This crust may have a layer of facets above it.

Thursday Night

Mainly clear with cloudy periods. 15 to 35 km/h west and northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -8°C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -5°C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Sunday

Mainly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
• Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.