Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Columbia.
Back off slopes if the surface is moist and limit exposure to slopes with cornices above.
Confidence
Moderate - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: No new snow expected. Possibility of above freezing layer at treelinne. Light to moderate southwest winds.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected. Light to moderate south winds and freezing levels rising to 2200 m.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with 5 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Moderate to strong south wind. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.
Tuesday: Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate south winds and freezing levels around 1900 m.
Avalanche Summary
Natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 have been observed on all aspects and elevations except high north facing terrain. We suspect that this kind of avalanche activity will continue due to warm temps and solar input.
Snowpack Summary
Dry snow and pockets of wind slab can still be found on high north facing terrain. The upper snowpack contains several crusts that extend to mountain tops on solar aspects. Moist snow will likely be observed on solar aspects and lower elevation terrain.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. The snowpack deteriorates rapidly at lower elevations.
Terrain and Travel
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Avalanche Problems
Cornices
Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Loose Wet
A above freezing layer at treeline could prevent overnight recovery. Wet loose avalanches could occur on all aspects and elevations except high north facing terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind slab can still be found on high north facing terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5