Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Wind and new snow forecast.SUNDAY: Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow, strong southwesterly winds and cooling temperatures. It might be close to zero near treeline elevations (say 1500m), but colder air is sliding down from the north. MONDAY: Mostly sunny with isolated light flurries possible, freezing levels returning to valley bottoms and moderate westerly winds.TUESDAY:  Colder, drier, sunnier, all under the influence of a light northerly breeze.

In the south of the region where wind slabs are the primary concern, avalanche activity has tapered-off somewhat since Tuesday. 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 on Tuesday. 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 posts 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 forecast for more representative conditions.

Thirty to 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. 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. Read the Cariboo forecast for more information.