Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Blue River, Central Selkirk, Clearwater, Clemina, Esplanade, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Premier, South Columbia, Whatshan.
Reactive windslabs can be found in the alpine and treeline elevations.
Avoid riding above terrain traps and watch for shooting cracks and drum-like sounds under your feet.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Reactive winslabs were reported Friday afternoon. Several loose dry avalanches have been reported in steep terrain. Fresh windslabs are building as wind speed increases.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 30 cm of recent snow overlies a layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on south-facing slopes. Windslabs can be found in exposed terrain in alpine and treeline elevations.
Another layer of surface hoar, crust and/or facets exists 90 to 160 cm deep. Reports indicate this layer is hard to find and likely not a concern north of Highway 5. South of Highway 5 it may linger on north through east aspects between 1700 to 2300 m.
Snow depth at treeline ranges from 120 to 250 cm.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh, reactive windslabs have developed where the wind speed has increased.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2