Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Esplanade, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Selkirk, Retallack, South Columbia, West Purcell, Whatshan.
Very dangerous avalanche conditions.
Buried weak layers are primed for riders to trigger. If triggered the avalanche will be deep and dangerous.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle is expected to be ongoing on Sunday.
Many rider-triggered storm slab and persistent slab avalanches were reported on Saturday, both small and large (size 2). These occurred on all aspects. Several were triggered remotely from a distance and failed on the early February crust/facet combo.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 50 cm of snow from the recent storm sits on top of many different layers: Weak sugary facets, a sun crust, and surface hoar in sheltered spots. This snow fell with a lot of wind, so expect wind loading in exposed areas.
50 to 80 cm deep you will find the thick crust from early February, which has weak, facets on top. It seems to extend up to around 2400 m.
Below the crust is generally settled and not a concern.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 25 to 45 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
TuesdayPartly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
WednesdayCloudy with 15 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
- Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Up to 50 cm of new snow has formed a reactive storm slab. These slabs often overlay weak layers of facets or surface hoar.
The wind will have dramatically increased the depth of this problem in exposed areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
This crust/facet combo layer is now buried up to 80 cm deep. Avalanches releasing on this layer will be large, dangerous, and unexpected.
It is possible to trigger an avalanche from a distance, so think about the terrain above you.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5