Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, South Columbia, Whatshan.
Ingredients for high avalanche danger:
Heavy, wet precipitation✅ Rising freezing levels ✅ A buried weak layer ✅
Stoke wood stove to 375 °F and avoid avalanche terrain today!
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the past week, we've seen consistent avalanche activity on the mid January facet layer detailed in the snowpack summary. Widely propagating slabs have been triggered naturally, by riders and even remotely, size 1.5-2.5. This activity is expected to continue with additional snow/rain load this weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Heavy snow turning to rain, moistening surfaces as the freezing level creeps up the mountain. In the high alpine, dry snow may continue to be redistributed by wind.
A layer of facets formed during the mid January cold snap sat 30-50 cm deep prior to the weekend's storm. This layer has been actively producing avalanches and is expected to continue as it is stressed by the new load.
In the Selkirks, another crust/facet/surface hoar layer buried in early January, now 60-90 cm deep remains on the radar. In the Monashees, the mid and lower snowpack is generally strong and well bonded.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
20-25 cm of snow turning to rain in the Monashees north of Revelstoke and the Selkirks to the south of Revelstoke, 5-10 elsewhere. South alpine wind 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Sunday
15-20 mm of mixed precip in high terrain in the Selkirks west of Beaton to Nakusp, 5-10 mm elsewhere. Precip ending midday. South alpine wind 20-30 km/h. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. South alpine wind 40-60 km/h. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing around 5 cm of new snow. South alpine wind 40-60 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs may become increasingly reactive through the day as snow turns to rain and freezing levels creep up the mountain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely as the upper snowpack becomes saturated by rain and snow melt as temperatures rise.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A layer of facets is buried around 50 cm deep. This layer may become increasingly reactive with new snow loads and warming temperatures this weekend.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3