South Columbia

Avalanche hazard is low with generally safe avalanche conditions.

Use normal caution and apply good travel habits.

Stepping out into big terrain is appropriate.

High

• Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

A few small natural, wet loose avalanches have been reported in the past couple days but, No new slab avalanches have been reported.

A surface hoar layer has developed in sheltered terrain over a crust that exists on all aspects up to at least 2500 m, this crust is breakable above 2000 m. On high north aspects, dry, wind affected snow could exist. Cornices are large and overhanging.

The snow surface is expected to become moist on sun exposed slopes.

Weak layers from early January and Late December are buried over a meter deep even in shallow snowpack areas. It would require a large load like a cornice fall to trigger these layers.

Tuesday Night
Clear skies. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10°C.

Wednesday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10°C.

Friday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
• Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
• A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.