Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
New wind slabs are likely to form above a generally faceted and weak upper snowpack.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Numerous small (up to size 1.5) dry loose avalanches have been reported recently throughout the region, both natural and skier-triggered.
Otherwise, no recent avalanche activity has been reported.
Snowpack Summary
Approximately 10 cm of new snow has accumulated atop various surfaces formed during recent cold, dry conditions. These include firm wind effect in exposed terrain, weak surface hoar or faceted grains in sheltered terrain, and sun crusts on sun-affected slopes.
20 to 50 cm of generally faceted snow overlies a potentially weak layer buried in late January. In many areas, this layer consists of a hard crust along with weak facets or surface hoar.
The mid and lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °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.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow combined with wind will form fresh wind slabs on top of the existing upper snowpack, which contains various potential weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2