Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Good riding can be found in sheltered terrain where snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Continue avoiding shallow rocky terrain where triggering deeper weak layers is most likely.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in the region since the weekend. Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It helps strengthen our data gathering.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of recent snow has fallen over the weekend. Previous strong southerly winds have scoured alpine south-facing terrain and affected recent snow in open alpine features. A layer of surface hoar may still exist under the recent storm snow in northerly treeline features.
In sheltered terrain, 40 to 50 cm of low-density snow sits over a crust formed in late December. This crust varies in thickness throughout the terrain and elevation. Small avalanches could potentially run down on this layer, creating larger-than-expected avalanches. Uncertainty remains about the robustness of this crust at high elevations.
There is a widespread layer of facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack, which remains a concern for triggering with large loads or on thin spots. Snowpack depths around treeline are about 150 cm deep. The snowpack below treeline is very shallow and faceted.
Weather Summary
Overcast skies and dry conditions are expected until a deeper system will push into the region early Thursday. Moderate snowfalls and rising freezing levels will last until Saturday.
Tuesday night
Partly cloudy, no precipitation, light southerly winds, freezing levels around 1200 m, low of -5C at treeline.
Wednesday
Increasing cloudiness, no precipitation, light southeasterly winds increasing to moderate, freezing levels around 1200 m, high of -3C at treeline.
Thursday
Snow 10-15 cm, rain at lower elevations, moderate southeasterly winds gusting to 50 km/h at ridge tops, freezing levels rising to 1600 m, high of 0C at treeline.
Friday
Snow 10-15 cm, rain at lower elevations, moderate southeasterly winds gusting to 50 km/h at ridge tops, freezing levels rising to 1800 m, high of +1C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent wind slabs may have developed on specific north-facing features, near ridge lines and cross-loaded features. Human triggers are most likely on steep, convex and unsupported slopes. Be aware that wind slab avalanches could step down to deeper layers and produce larger-than-expected avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5