Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 12th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

North Columbia, South Columbia, Blue River, Clearwater, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Shuswap, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan, Valhalla, Whatshan, West Purcell.

Recent snow and wind have formed slabs that may be reactive to human triggers at treeline and above.

Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the recent snow.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Numerous rider triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on primarily northerly aspects at treeline and above on Sunday.

Additionally, numerous rider triggered size 1 dry loose avalanches were reported at all elevations.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 25 cm of snow overlies a variety of surfaces including a weak layer of small surface hoar in sheltered areas and/or a thin sun crust on solar aspects.

The widespread crust buried in early February is down 30 to 50 cm. The snow has been reported as bonding well to the crust in most areas.

Various weak layers persist in the mid to lower snowpack, however, triggering these layers is unlikely where they are capped by a thick crust.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. 25 to 35 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 25 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 5 to 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Thursday

Sunny. 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Problems

Storm Slabs

15 to 25 cm of snow overlies a weak layer of small surface hoar in sheltered areas and/or a thin sun crust on solar aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Expect sunshine to trigger wet loose avalanches on steep slopes facing the sun.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 13th, 2024 4:00PM