Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
As freezing levels rise, expect snow to become moist and heavy.
Wind slabs may linger in the high alpine, take caution travelling into wind affected terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported but observation are limited.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed in to wind slabs by southerly winds in the alpine and treeline. This new snow rests over a crust on all aspects below 1800 m. The best riding will be found in sheltered treeline terrain.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of various crusts and layers of facets or surface hoar. We are unsure what effects the warming may have on these layers, however, they likely only still exist in the alpine.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 2 cm of new snow expected. Southwest alpine wind, 30 to 50 km/h. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with light rain. South alpine wind, 20 to 30 km/h. Freezing level rising to 2200 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and clouds, up to 3 mm of rain. South alpine wind, 30 to 40 km/h. Freezing level rising to 2400 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy, up to 3 mm of rain. South alpine wind, 40 to 60 km/h. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
As the freezing level rises and recent snow over a crust becomes moist , wet loose avalanches will become possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Wind Slabs
Southerly wind could keep the wind slab problem active at high elevations. These slabs will be more reactive where they overlie a crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5