Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Esplanade, Goat, Gold, Jordan, Kokanee, North Columbia, North Selkirk, Retallack, South Columbia, Valhalla, West Purcell, Whatshan.
Human-triggered avalanches are likely.
Stay in simple terrain and use safe travel habits.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A widespread natural and human-triggered avalanche cycle has occurred since Friday. Expect avalanche activity to continue through the forecast period.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 60 cm of new snow has fallen on a variety of old surfaces. There is surface hoar, more prevalent around treeline and below, a crust on sun-facing slopes, and 20 to 30 cm of low-density faceted snow in sheltered areas.
Dry January conditions have created a weak, faceted upper snowpack with multiple surface hoar and crust layers. The new snow will likely not bond well with these layers.
The lower snowpack remains generally well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Sunday night
Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature - 15 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
- Conservative terrain selection is critical; choose gentle, low consequence lines.
- Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs are primed for triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3