North Columbia

For most of the region, isolated wind slabs are the main concern.If you are in the far north of the region around Valemount and Blue River, a persistent slab problem exists and the Cariboos bulletin is more applicable.

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy, Light southwesterly winds, and freezing levels in valley bottoms with alpine temperatures reaching -5 C.SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy with light rain/snow starting in the afternoon, strong southwesterly winds, and freezing levels rising as high as 2000 m.SUNDAY: Mainly Cloudy with light rain/snow, strong southwesterly winds and freezing levels dropping throughout the day.

In the south of the region where wind slabs are the primary concern, avalanche activity tapered-off somewhat on Tuesday. There was, however, one report of Size 1 snowmobile triggered storm slab avalanche running on the mid-January surface hoar on a northeast facing treeline slope on Frisby Ridge. Isolated skier-triggered Size 1 wind and storm slabs were also reported from the Selkirks.In the far north of the region near Blue River, a snowmobiler triggered a Size 2 persistent slab avalanche running on facets down 80 cm on a short slope below a rock/tree band. A snowmobiler also triggered a size 3 persistent slab avalanche on Sunday a south aspect in the alpine which released on surface hoar down 100 cm. Check out the MIN post for more details. In this part of the region, a more widespread persistent slab problem exists. If you are recreating in the Monashees near Blue River or Valemount, use the Cariboos bulletin for more representative conditions.

30-60 cm of recent snow is settling over the previous mid-January snow surface which includes buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, and/or widespread facets. This slab is particularly touchy where where the buried surface hoar is preserved. Strong southwest winds during the storm have formed wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Isolated subsequent moderate outflow winds may have more recently resulted in reverse wind loading. Another surface hoar/facet persistent weakness that was buried mid-December, can now be found down 100-120 cm. This weakness is currently dormant in the south of the region, but sensitive to human-triggers in the northern part of the region near Blue River and Valemount. It is highly recommended to investigate this layer before committing to any large, unsupported features.