Avalanche Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, moderate wind from the southwest, mild temperatures with above freezing temperatures between 1500 and 2000 m.

THURSDAY: Clear skies except for some valley clouds, moderate wind from the southwest, mild temperatures with above freezing temperatures between 1500 and 2000 m.

FRIDAY: Storm arrives with cloudy skies and up to 5 cm of snow, strong wind from the southwest, freezing level around 500 m with treeline temperatures around -5 C.

SATURDAY: Stormy weather continues with another 5-15 cm of snow, strong wind from the southwest, freezing level fluctuates between 500 m and 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -3 C.

No notable avalanche activity has been reported in the past few days, but there were some notable avalanches reported over the weekend, including a snowmobile triggered avalanche near Silvern Lake that appeared to occur on a 30-50 cm deep surface hoar layer, and a few size 2-3 slab avalanches triggered by heavy machinery around Kispiox that occurred on 30-70 cm deep layers (on northeast and southeast aspects around treeline). There were also reports of some large (size 2-3) naturally-triggered avalanches over the weekend on wind-loaded slopes below cornices (for example the one shown here).

Wind and warm temperatures have created variable surface conditions with heavily wind-affected snow in open terrain, surface crusts that likely extend into the alpine on south-facing slopes, and pockets of dry snow on some north-facing slopes. These photos from our field team illustrate conditions on Tuesday.

Snowpack tests and recent avalanche activity have consistently found two weak layers that are roughly 30 to 70 cm deep. One is a 30 to 50 cm deep surface hoar layer that is most likely found in sheltered terrain (buried on Jan 19) and the other is a 40 to 70 cm deep layer of faceted snow that is found in wind-affected terrain (buried in early January).

There are currently no concerns about the lower snowpack, although areas with thin snowpacks have weak faceted snow near the ground.

• Caution around convexities or sharp changes in terrain.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.