Avalanche Forecast

A few rider-triggered wind slabs were reported east of Prince George on Tuesday.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

20-30 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by wind at upper elevations and sits poorly bonded to underlying layers of facets or surface hoar. A thin crust or moist snow may be found at the surface at lower elevations that have seen warm temperatures.

A prominent crust is found 30 to 50 cm deep. It extends up to 1900 m in the Cariboos and up to 1400 m around Pine Pass. In the Sugarbowl area, a layer of small surface hoar or facets has been observed near the crust.

The midpack is generally strong and well bonded, except for areas east of the Divide, where the snowpack is shallow and faceted with depths of 60 to 100 cm around treeline.

Wednesday night

Flurries bringing up to 5 cm of snow. Southwest alpine wind 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cm. Southwest alpine wind 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level up to 1500 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing up to 5 cm. Southwest alpine wind 40-50 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing levels up to 1600 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing up to 5 cm. Southwest alpine wind 50-80 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing levels up to 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.