Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Human triggering of persistent weak layers deep in the snowpack is possible. Small avalanches on the surface are likely to step down to deeper layers resulting in large, destructive avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, a large, size 3 avalanche was remotely triggered by skiers roughly 100 m away. The avalanche was on a northeast aspect at 2050 m. It ran on a weak layer (80 to 100 cm deep), before scrubbing down to the ground in steep terrain.
Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of low-density snow has been redistributed by strong southerly winds. This overlies an upper snowpack that is relatively stable and well-settled. 40 to 60 cm of moist snow has been buried by the recent snow below 2000 m. The mid and lower snowpack consists of various weak layers and generally unconsolidated snow.
Snowpack depths remain highly variable, roughly 50 to 200 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Thursday night
Cloudy with flurries, 0 to 2 cm. Light southerly winds. -5 to -10 C at treeline.
Friday
Cloudy with flurries, 2 to 5 cm. Light southerly winds. -5 to -10 C at treeline.
Saturday
Cloudy with flurries, 0 to 2 cm. Light southwest winds. -5 to -10 C at treeline.
Sunday
Sun and cloud, no precipitation. Light southwest winds. -5 to -10 C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong southerly winds have redistributed 35 - 50 cm of new snow into deep, cohesive slabs at higher elevations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
The winter snowpack is not as deep as usual, and along with a cold and dry early winter, the lower snowpack consists of weak, unconsolidated facets and depth hoar crystals. With weak basal layers, a cautious approach to large open terrain features is required especially around rocky or thin areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3