Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Cariboos, Clearwater, Clemina, McBride, North Monashee, Premier, Quesnel, Robson.
Avoid avalanche terrain. Human triggered avalanches are likely.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday 2 very large (size 3) rider-triggered avalanches were reported on northeast and east aspects near Valemount. On Friday near the southern boundary of the forecast region, numerous large to very large (size 3-4) persistent slab avalanches were triggered utilizing explosives. Near Mcbride, a few small to large (size 1-2) natural and human-triggered avalanches were observed in both alpine and treeline.
Snowpack Summary
60 to 90 cm of storm snow has accumulated over the past 7 days. All this snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust found everywhere except north-facing slopes above 1600 m. There may also be isolated surface hoar crystals above the crust in wind-sheltered terrain around treeline. Southwest wind has formed deeper and touchier deposits in lee terrain features at high elevations.
A weak layer of surface hoar and/or faceted grains buried mid-February is around 70 to 120 cm deep.
The lower snowpack is well-settled.
Weather Summary
Sunday night
Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Recently riders have triggered very large avalanches. The snow is slow to bond to underlying layers of surface hoar and/or a hard crust. Slabs are touchy in immediate lee terrain features from new snow and strong wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Persistent Slabs
It remains possible that humans could trigger surface hoar and/or faceted grains that were buried mid-February, especially at high elevations where a thick crust doesn't exist above it.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5