Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

TUESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm / light to moderate southwest winds / freezing level 1300-1400mWEDNESDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm / light to moderate southwest winds / freezing level 1400mTHURSDAY - Cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm / light southwest winds / freezing level 1300mFRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / freezing level 700-1000m

There have been recent reports of size 1 rider triggered storm slab avalanches at treeline. On Saturday, November 24 a human triggered size 3 avalanche was reported in the region. This avalanche likely ran on the October crust, as it was reported as a full depth avalanche. Two reports on this avalanche can be found on the Mountain Information Network.

The storm that arrived Sunday night has continued to deliver snow over the South Columbia region, bringing total accumulations to anywhere from 40-75 cm by Wednesday morning. This snow sits on top of a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is widespread at treeline and below, but it may be found in sheltered alpine areas. At the base of the snowpack is a crust that formed near the end of October. This crust has shown limited reactivity in the South Columbia region, but with recent additional snow, high winds and warm temperatures, this layer could come into play. Snowpack depths taper quickly with elevation, many areas have over 200 cm in the alpine, between 100-160 cm at treeline, and 10-100 cm below treeline.