Avalanche Forecast

Low - Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.

Wednesday night: Snow with accumulations of 5-10 cm, up to 20 cm in the west of the region, strong wind from the west, alpine temperatures around -12 C, freezing levels drop to valley bottom.

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, moderate wind varying in direction, alpine temperatures dropping to -15 C.

Friday: 10-20 cm of snow concentrated in the south of the region, moderate wind south to southeast, alpine high temperatures around -12 C.

Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries accumulating 5-10 cm of snow, moderate southwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

A large (size 2.5) natural windslab avalanche on a SW aspect at 1700 m was reported from the Howson range on Wednesday. 

Reports of persistent slab avalanches associated with buried surface hoar have begun to spring up over the past week. Skier and remote triggered persistent slab avalanches to size 2 were reported on south aspects in the alpine on Tuesday. On Sunday we received reports of recent large natural avalanches in the Telkwa Range (size 2-3), mostly on northeast aspects, many appear to have run on the buried surface hoar layers. A size 1.5 skier-triggered avalanche was reported in the Ashman area on Friday. The avalanche occurred on a convex north-facing slope at treeline and also failed on a surface hoar layer 50 cm below the surface (see full report and photos in this MIN post).

Recent snowfall amounts have varied widely through the region, with only a dusting in the south while northern and parts of the region, as well as along the western border have seen storm totals exceeding 60 cm. Mild temperatures have promoted settlement in the storm snow at lower elevations while wind has loaded lee features in exposed high alpine terrain. Reports suggest there are two layers of surface hoar buried 25-50 cm below the surface. Recent avalanche activity suggest these layers have now become reactive. There is uncertainty about the distribution of this layer, but the sheltered slopes around treeline elevations are the most suspect for having preserved surface hoar.

• Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.