Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Warm temperatures are increasing the chance of avalanches. Monitor the conditions and back off slopes as the surface becomes wet.
Reactive wind slabs may exist in high elevation terrain.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, small wet loose avalanches and pinwheeling noted from slopes facing the sun. This may continue on Wednesday as temperatures remain warm.
Isolated wind slabs may be found on north through east facing slopes in the alpine.
If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Surface hoar development may exists in wind and sun sheltered, open terrain. At treeline and above, moist snow surfaces are seen on slopes facing the sun.
Above 1800 m, 20 to 40 cm of snow from last weekend sits above a thin crust. Below the crust there are no layers of concern in the well-settled snowpack.
Below 1800 m, there may be 10-20 cm of snow overtop a thicker crust capping a rain-soaked snowpack.
Snow depths at treeline are around 70-80 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with clear periods. Treeline temperature +5 °C. 10 to 25 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2400 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with sunny periods. 15 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +7 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Friday
Snow 5 cm. 15 km/h south ridgetop winds gusting to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Slabs may be possible to trigger at high elevations where dry snow has been loaded into leeward terrain features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2