Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

• We are uncertain whether the wind will be enough to form new wind slabs.

On Saturday, a rider triggered avalanche size 1.5 wind slab was reported in a neighbouring region. This human-triggered avalanche occurred in a steep, open, rocky alpine feature.

Similar conditions may exist in this region as new wind driven snow begins to bury a layer of surface hoar.

A few small, natural cornice falls were observed earlier in the week.

Isolated flurries have deposited 10 to 15 cm of low-density snow (larger amounts in the northern cariboos), which is being redistributed by strong winds.

This new snow overlies a crust, with surface hoar above it, extending to at least 1600 m on all aspects and up to the mountain tops on solar aspects. In the alpine, north-facing aspects have new snow covering dry, wind-affected snow.

Cornices are large and overhanging.

A crust/facet layer from mid-December is still present in the mid-snowpack. Triggering this layer is unlikely, except under large loads or in areas with a thin snowpack.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.