Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Esplanade, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Okanagan, North Selkirk, Shuswap, South Columbia, West Purcell, Whatshan.
Ongoing snowfall and elevated winds will create dangerous avalanche conditions on Tuesday. Stick to simple terrain that is free of overhead hazards.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
We have many avalanche reports connected to the 30-60 cm of new snow that fell in the region at the end of the week. Here's a report from the action west of Revelstoke.
Professional reports echoed this MIN with a mix of numerous storm slab and dry loose releases, mainly to size 1.5 (small).
Looking forward, moderate to heavy snowfall and elevated winds should keep avalanche conditions active through Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 15-30 cm of new snow should accumulate in the region by end of day Tuesday. It will bury moderately wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs in exposed areas at elevation, but mainly add to 30-60 cm of storm snow from Saturday. This older snow sits on an aspect and elevation-dependent mix of crusts, surface hoar, and facets. Areas where surface hoar may be preserved are a concern.
A crust formed by early December rain is found ~70 cm deep, and an old layer of surface hoar 60 to 100 cm deep. Recent observations suggest triggering this layer is unlikely.
The lower snowpack is variable throughout the region and weak basal facets are likely to be found on the ground in shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Cloudy with flurries bringing 5-15 cm of new snow. Southeast alpine winds 25-50 km/h.
Tuesday
Cloudy with continuing snowfall bringing another 5-15 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. Southwest alpine winds 20-50 km/h, easing. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Decreasing cloud and easing flurries bringing another 5-10 cm of new snow, mainly from overnight. Northwest alpine wind, 10-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -12°C.
Thursday
Cloudy with lingering flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new snow, including overnight amounts. Northwest or southwest alpine wind 5-25 km/h. Treeline temperature -20°C to -25°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Ongoing snowfall and elevated wind will reinvigorate surface instabilities Tuesday. Be ready to manage increasingly deep and reactive storm slabs on all aspects. Wind loaded areas especially.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5