Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clearing overnight, moderate gusting to strong wind from the west, treeline low temperatures around -4 C. Freezing level rising quickly in the early morning.

SATURDAY: A warm weather pattern is setting up. Mostly sunny, moderate wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures reaching 0 C. A possible inversion will produce cooler temperatures in the valleys but above freezing temperatures between 1800 and 2000 m.

SUNDAY: The warm pattern continues with conditions similar to Saturday. There will likely be little overnight cooling near treeline elevations with a second day of above freezing temperatures as high as 2200 m.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Decreasing moderate to light northwest wind, temperatures dropping to -5, and freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Reactive storm slabs quickly developed Thursday in areas that saw over 20 cm new snow accumulation. A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday with size 2-3 storm and wind slabs observed in alpine terrain. Check out this MIN from our field team.

With forecast warm temperatures it's worth remembering that during last week's warm storm, a few size 2-2.5 deep persistent slab avalanche were observed near Blue River, as this corner of the region appears to have a similar lingering problem to the neighbouring North Columbia region.

Westerly winds have quickly impacted 20-40 cm of recent storm snow in open areas and upper elevations. A few isolated surface hoar layers have been observed in the upper snowpack (top 100cm), as well as a thin breakable crust that extends up to 1800 m, but we have not seen avalanche activity on these layers.

The lower snowpack is strong and settled in most parts of the region, except the southernmost part of the region around Blue River where there is a deeply buried crust/facet layer that could be exhibiting similar behaviour to the deep persistent slab problem in the neighbouring North Columbia region. This layer is most prevalent at below treeline elevations and has been reactive to heavy triggers like smaller wind slab avalanches that step down to this layer.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
• Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.