Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Wind slabs are the main concern. Keep in mind you may find them on a variety of aspects with winds switching direction.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday there were reports of a few size 2.5 naturally triggered windslab avalanches on northerly and southerly aspects in the alpine in the Birkenhead area and in the south Chilcotin.
Snowpack Summary
Recent new snow accumulation is being redistributed by moderate southwest winds switching to north and northeast.
A melt-freeze crust from late January can found down 60-80 cm. At the moment this layer appears to be gaining strength though in isolated areas small facets can still found above the crust.
There is a widespread weak layer of large sugary of facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Recent avalanche activity on this layer has been confined to northern parts of the region in the Chilcotins. Snowpack depths around treeline range between 150 to 250 cm.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with clear breaks. Light to moderate north east. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate north east wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with flurries. Moderate southwest wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent new snow combined with moderate wind from a variety of directions has promoted new wind slab formation on a variety of aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer of weak facets sits near the base of the snowpack. This layer is most likely to be problematic in steep, unsupported, wind-loaded terrain in the northern part of the region around the Chilcotins.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5