Avalanche Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries / southwest wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine low temperature near -6

THURSDAY - Flurries, 10-15 cm / southwest wind, 30-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1500 m

FRIDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest wind, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1500 m

SATURDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm / southwest wind, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1400 m

There have been several reports over the past three days of natural, human and explosives triggered avalanches. Most of these were size 1-1.5 storm and wind slab avalanches, on northerly aspects in the alpine and at treeline.

Two notable persistent slab avalanches were reported on Tuesday, one natural and one explosives triggered, size 2.5 and 3.5 respectively. Both of these avalanches occurred in the alpine, on northerly aspects.

Over the past week there has been about 15 to 30 cm of recent snow, and another 10-15 is forecast for Thursday. This snow will arrive with strong southwest winds and relatively warm temperatures, which will mean that storm slabs will likely be forming in many areas.

A layer of surface hoar may still be found roughly 80-120 cm deep in the Selkirks and 120-160 cm deep in the Monashees. This layer exists primarily at treeline and below treeline and through it appears to be gaining strength, it could still be triggered by a large load in some areas.

A weak facet/crust layer from late November may be found near the bottom of the snowpack.

• Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.