Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cariboos, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Quesnel, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Consequences could be severe if a persistent weak layer is triggered. Stay disciplined and make conservative terrain choices.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche activity has been reported in the region. However, there have been a number of reports of spooky stability test results recently.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 30 to 60 cm of low-density snow overlies a generally weak, facetted snowpack with multiple buried weak layers. Of note is a layer buried around Christmas, consisting of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust, which is down roughly 30 to 40cm from the surface. Another layer that was buried in November generally consists of large, weak facets near the bottom of the snowpack.
Snowpack depths are roughly 100 to 175 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Mostly clear, with a chance of isolated flurries. Light to moderate southwest winds. -5 to -10 C at treeline.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with no precipitation. Light to moderate southwest winds. -5 to -10 C at treeline.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy, with no precipitation. Moderate to strong south winds. 0 to -5 C at treeline.
Friday
Cloudy with flurries. Moderate to strong south winds. 0 to -5 C at treeline. Freezing levels around 700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious near rock outcroppings, on steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak, facetted and contains multiple buried weak layers. Larger than expected avalanches are possible due to the likelihood of avalanches stepping down to deeper weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Wind Slabs
Low density snow on the surface is primed to be redistributed by moderate to strong southerly winds. It is possible for small wind slab avalanches to step down to deeper weak layers creating bigger then expected avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2