Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Esplanade, Goat, Gold, Jordan, Kokanee, North Columbia, North Selkirk, Retallack, South Columbia, Valhalla, West Purcell, Whatshan.
Be diligent in making ongoing assessments. This time of year conditions and hazard will vary greatly from one slope to another and can change quickly throughout the day.
If in doubt choose more conservative terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed in the past few days in the region.
Please help out your fellow backcountry users by filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine dry snow can still be found on north facing terrain. In the morning dry snow may be found on south facing terrain but it will quickly become moist when the sun pokes out. At treeline a crust over moist snow will likely be found in the morning but it will quickly break down with day time warming. Below treeline the snowpack is diminishing , moist or wet snow will be found at this elevation.
A layer of surface hoar and a crust from March 31 persists down roughly 50 to 100 cm at treeline and above. This layer remains a concern on sheltered terrain at upper treeline where surface hoar may still exist. Additional crusts dating from April 7 and April 16 are higher up in the snowpack with similar characteristics and concerns.
The lower-snowpack is strong. However, the November depth hoar remains at the base of the snowpack and remains a concern in rocky, shallow, variable depth snowpack areas at treeline and above.
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Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with a few mm of precipitation possible, rain turning to snow overnight as freezing levels fall to 1200 m. Light to moderate southwest winds.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with a few mm of precipitation possible. Light to moderate westerly winds and freezing level rising to 2000 m in the north of the region and up to 2300 m in the south.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud with a few mm of precipitation possible, rain at treeline and below with snow in the alpine. Moderate westerly winds and freezing level rising to 2600 m.
Thursday
Mostly sunny with no new precipitation expected. Moderate to strong westerly winds and freezing level rising to 2800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs are possible at high elevations where dry snow exists. Watch for wind slabs on lee features. Dial back your terrain choices if you encounter more than 20 cm of new snow. Watch for this snow sitting on a slippery crust on solar aspects. Expect conditions to change as you gain elevation or switch aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
This layer remains a concern on sheltered upper treeline and alpine slopes where surface hoar could still remain.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth.
Suspect terrain includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack varies between thin and thick.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 3 - 4