Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Esplanade, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Selkirk, South Columbia.
Don’t let the new snow lure you into high consequence terrain.
In addition to the weak layers new snow has fallen on, we are still concerned about the layers from earlier this month.
Confidence
No Rating
Avalanche Summary
Numerous storm and wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Wednesday. Triggers included natural, human and remote. Avalanches occurred on a variety of aspects and generally at treeline and above. These avalanches all failed on weak layers in the top meter of the snowpack.
Numerous wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were also reported. These avalanches were triggered in steep terrain below 2000 m.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 30 cm of recent snow has buried a variety of surfaces including surface hoar in sheltered terrain and old wind slab on exposed slopes. Several crusts exist on sun exposed slopes and below treeline.
Another layer of surface hoar is down around 20 to 50 cm in sheltered areas.
The widespread crust buried in early February is down 40 to 65 cm and has sugary facets on top. In most places, this crust is widespread up to 2400 m.
The base of the snowpack is still loose and faceted in shallow rocky alpine areas.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 25 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.
Friday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level rising up to 1700 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 20 cm of new snow. 25 to 40 km/h west alpine wind. Freezing level rising up to 1600 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 20 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level around 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
This layer may now be found down up to 65 cm. Avalanches releasing on this layer will likely be larger than they have been over the past week.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Storm Slabs
Up to 30 cm of new snow has formed a reactive storm slab. These slabs will be more reactive where they overlie facets or surface hoar.
This new snow may run as a wet loose avalanche at lower elevations as the freezing level rises.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2