Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.
Dangerous conditions persist. Manage the uncertainty around buried weak layers by sticking to low-angle terrain, avoiding overhead hazard, and communicating with groups around you.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Another persistent slab, size 1.5, was skier-triggered in the Hurley area on Tuesday. It was 80 cm deep and occurred on a northeast-facing roll at treeline.
Recent natural activity has been reported on north and west facing slopes at treeline and above to size 2.5 (large). This MIN gives a snapshot in the Wendy Thompson area.
A notable size 3 slab avalanche was observed on Sunday, failing near the ground at 2 m deep on a north facing slope. This is likely a reloaded bed surface.
Snowpack Summary
Light new snow amounts, thin surface crusts (on solar aspects) and new surface hoar growth have begun to change the snow surface. Otherwise, 50 - 90 cm of recent storm snow is continuing to settle over a facet/surface hoar/crust layer directly beneath it.
Just below, an older, more problematic combination layer of faceted snow over a thick crust is now 80-140 cm deep. This layer is the primary avalanche concern in the region, continuing to show sensitivity to human triggers and produce concerning snowpack test results. The snowpack below this layer is well settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Wednesday night
Mainly cloudy. 5 - 10 km/h southwest or west alpine winds. Freezing level to valley bottom.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 - 20 km/h southwest alpine winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C with freezing level to 1100 m.
Friday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, increasing overnight. 25 - 40 km/h south alpine winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C with freezing levels rising to 1600 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 10-20 cm of new snow, including overnight amounts. 30 - 50 km/h south alpine winds, easing. Treeline temperature -3 with freezing level falling from 1600 to 1400 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.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers are most concerning at treeline elevations. Small avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in very large, destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow may still react as a slab in wind affected features at higher elevations. Watch for deeper and more reactive slabs near ridgelines.
Recent north winds mean new slabs may be found on a range of aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2