Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
UPDATED ON MONDAY AT 6:25 AM: Less snow fell overnight than expected, but the latest storm system to hit our region may have created reactive storm slabs. Use conservative decision-making until the snow settles.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday there were reports of two wind slab avalanches. One was triggered by a rider and the other one went naturally. These occurred in the alpine on north to northeast aspects and at a depth of 20 to 25 cm.
Snowpack Summary
Sunday night's storm may add another 20 to 30 cm to our snowpack. In sheltered areas, this new snow will rest on various amounts of low-density snow that fell earlier in the week. New and old wind slabs can be found near ridge crests in the alpine and treeline. Recent winds have also formed large cornices.
The mid-snowpack is well consolidated.
This is not the case for the lower snowpack. There is a widespread weak layer of large sugary 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. This layer remains a concern in shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy, 15 to 20 cm accumulation, winds southwest 20 km/h gusting to 55, treeline temperatures -5 °C with freezing levels to 1000 m.
Monday
Cloudy, 8 to 12 cm accumulation, winds southwest 25 km/h gusting to 55, treeline temperatures -5 °C with freezing levels at 1200 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud, up to 4 cm accumulation, winds southwest 15 to 20 km/h gusting to 50, treeline temperatures -6 °C with freezing levels reaching 1100 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud, no accumulation, winds southwest 10 to 15 km/h, treeline temperatures around -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
By noon on Monday, much of our region may see up to 30 cm. This snow will be accompanied by moderate to strong southwest winds. Reactive storm slabs should be expected throughout the day.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
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, wind-loaded terrain where the snowpack depth varies from thick to thin. Especially in the northern part of the region around the Chilcotins, Birkenhead, and Hurley.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5