Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Blue River, Central Selkirk, Clemina, Esplanade, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Retallack, South Columbia, Valhalla, West Purcell, Whatshan.
Warm temperatures and strong solar radiation have settled up to 40 cm of recent snow into a reactive slab.
Stay alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Several natural and rider triggered storm/wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on primarily northerly aspects in the alpine on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15 cm of new snow sits on a thin crust everywhere except north facing aspects at upper elevations where the recent snow remained dry.
Up to 40 cm of recent snow can be found at upper elevations and is settling rapidly with intense solar radiation and warm temperatures. Previous southwest wind formed slabs on lee features in the alpine.
The recent snow sits above a crust in most areas. The exception is on northerly aspects above 2200 m where it overlies dry snow.Expect difficult travel at lower elevations with thin snow coverage.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 2900 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Warm temperatures and strong solar radiation have settled up to 40 cm of recent snow into a reactive slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
High freezing levels and strong solar radiation increase the likelihood of cornice failure.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Loose Wet
Strong solar radiation will trigger wet loose avalanches on steep sunny slopes.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5