Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Dogtooth, Esplanade, Glacier, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Retallack, South Columbia, West Purcell, Whatshan.
Watch for reactive deposits in areas impacted by wind. Be mindful that gusty and stronger winds can build touchy slabs lower in features than usual.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, explosives control work and skier traffic triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2, averaging 20 to 40 cm deep. Field reports commented on gusty and variable winds producing small, reactive slabs lower in features than usual.
Snowpack Summary
Weekend flurries have accumulated up to 30 cm of fresh snow around the region. Southerly winds have formed deeper deposits on northerly aspects and wind slabs in lee features. In sheltered areas, the fresh snow may overlie surface hoar crystals.
A layer of surface hoar is now buried 30 to 60 cm and is most prevalent around treeline elevations and north aspects. We're tracking this layer as the load (and resulting slab) builds above it. We may see reactivity increase when the load above reaches a critical threshold. At lower elevations or on steep south-facing slopes a crust is at this interface instead of surface hoar.
The lower snowpack is well-settled without any deeper concerns.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
Flurries, with 5 to 15 cm overnight. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.
Sunday
Flurries, up to 10 cm. Forecasts suggest the highest precipitation will fall in the Monashees north and west of Revelstoke. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with sunny breaks. Increasing west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for new slabs forming with forecast winds.
Fresh and recent snow now covers surface hoar buried 30 to 60 cm. We've seen little action from this interface, however, reactivity may increase as more snow loads and forms a slab above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2