Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Jordan, Kokanee, North Columbia, North Selkirk, Retallack, South Columbia, Valhalla, Whatshan.
Big scary avalanches!!
Strong sun and warm temperatures will further destabilize an already dangerous and volatile snowpack.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Over the last few days, numerous natural, explosive and human-triggered avalanches (up to size 4) were reported across various elevations and aspects. Many of these avalanches failed on the late January persistent weak layer.
Strong evidence indicates wind slabs and persistent weak layers remain primed for human triggering. Large natural activity can also be expected on Saturday with warming and strong sun.
Read more in our Forecasters' Blog.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 50 cm of settling storm snow generally rests on a weak layer of facets or surface hoar, while elsewhere it overlies a widespread crust. At lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, warm temperatures and solar radiation resulted in a crust or moist snow. Another persisent weak layer, buried in late January, lies 50 to 100 cm deep across the region. This layer also consists of surface hoar/facets or a crust, depending on aspect. The remaining snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clearing. 5 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Saturday
Mostly clear with valley cloud. 5 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level rises to 2700 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
- Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.
- Avalanche danger is expected to to increase throughout the day, think carefully about your exit plan from the backcountry.
- Avoid the runout zones of avalanche paths. Avalanches could run full path.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers from January and February persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. These layers are expected to remain reactive, especially with the added stress of strong sun and warming temperatures.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Southwesterly winds built wind slabs on leeward northerly and easterly slopes. If triggered, wind slab avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will become more likely as daytime warming and sun melt the upper snowpack. There is also concern that they may step down to persistent weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2