Avalanche Forecast

The storm parade continues for the foreseeable future.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 1000 m, strong southwest wind, 15 to 25 cm of snow expected.

SUNDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 1200 m, strong west/southwest wind, 5 to 10 cm expected through the day.

MONDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 900 m, light south wind with moderate gusts at ridgetop, 20 to 30 cm of snow possible.

TUESDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level near valley bottom, light to moderate northerly wind at ridgetop, no precipitation expected.  

New snow and wind Saturday night into Sunday are expected to initiate a natural avalanche cycle that may persist into Sunday.

On Friday touchy storm slabs to size 2 continued to be reported, check out all of the MIN Reports for the region here. In the Gold Range of the Monashees a size 2.5 natural avalanche stepped down to the early December crust Friday night on a convex south facing feature around 2000 m.

Storm and wind slabs were underfoot/sled on Thursday (MIN report). Explosives triggered avalanches to size 2 along ridgelines and with good connectivity. Skiers reported reactive slabs 20-50 cm deep, most within the storm snow and in one case, steeping down to the early December crust.

A handful of natural avalanches were reported including one notable size 3 avalanche near Monashee Provincial Park - a 30-60 cm deep wind slab that failed on the early December crust, running for 1000 m.

Ongoing flurries and snow has accumulated 30-50 cm fresh snow around the region. This new snow has buried a weak layer of surface hoar in many areas. This new snow combined with southwest winds has formed reactive slabs, especially at higher elevations. 

A weak layer that was buried in early December is now down 30-60 cm. This layer is variable and has been reported to exist as either a crust with facets or surface hoar. In any case, it is a persistent weak layer with a significant load above it now, and it may react easily to human triggers.

This MIN report from Thursday really captures the snowpack well, and documents reactivity both within the storm snow and on the early December crust.

Another crust that was buried in early November can be found near the base of the snowpack. There have been no recent avalanches reported on this layer, however it may be possible to trigger it from shallow, rocky terrain.

• Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
• Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.