Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
The new storm snow is not bonding well to old surfaces, and human-triggered avalanches are likely on Wednesday.Stick to conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, observations noted a widespread natural and explosive control avalanche cycle up to size 3.
Reactive storm slabs are likely on Wednesday. Especially in areas at upper elevations that see more wind effect. Dry loose sluffing will exist in steep terrain features.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 70 cm of snow above a crust on all aspects except on high north facing terrain, where new snow buries 5 cm of faceted snow overlying a crust from earlier in March. This second crust likely doesn’t exist above 2100 m. Strong southwest winds continue to redistribute some of the fresh snow onto lee slopes at the ridgeline.
A layer of facets and surface hoar from mid February can be found down around 90 to 110 cm, and snowpack tests are producing sudden planar results on it.
Another layer of facets and surface hoar from late January can be found down 110 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with isolated flurries 3 to 6 cm. 20 gusting to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7°C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud with a trace of new snow. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Up to 70 cm of storm snow and strong winds have built reactive storm slabs. Back off if you encounter signs of instability like whumpfing, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers remain a concern in north-facing terrain where snowpack depth is variable. These layers are still adjusting to the new snow load and may be reactive to human-triggering.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3