Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Columbia, Whatshan.
6:45 AM Update: Assess for new slab development and look for signs of instability as you move through terrain.
Surface hoar layers may still be reactive to rider traffic.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Ski cuts and explosives have produced small wind and storm slabs in the past few days in the north of the region. No persistent slab avalanches have been reported in this region recently but they continue to be reported in adjacent regions.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
15 to 30 cm of recent snow has been redistributed into wind slab on north and east aspects near ridge crests. This may have buried a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain. Below treeline a new crust has likely formed on the surface.
A crust formed during the early December rain event exists down roughly 30 to 60 cm from the surface and is highly variable in strength and thickness throughout the terrain. A concerning layer of buried surface hoar is 60 to 100 cm below the surface at treeline and above.
Lower snowpack is generally facetted, with no particular layers of concern currently. The height of snow at treeline is roughly 80 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Partially cloudy with 5 to 15 cm snow, northwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h, freezing level falling to valley bottom.
Saturday
Mostly sunny with no new snow expected, northwest alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -7°C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny with no new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -7°C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -7°C.
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More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A problematic layer of surface hoar exists down roughly 60 to 100 cm from the surface. This is currently an ideal depth for human triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may have formed on lee features in exposed terrain at treeline and above.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2