Avalanche Forecast

On Wednesday, two size 1 slab avalanches were triggered by skiers.

On Monday, a MIN from the Sun Peaks area reported a size 1 skier accidental avalanche in sparse trees. The slab consists of the recent wind-affected storm snow and looked to be 30 cm deep.

Please submit a Mountain Information Network report if you are heading to the backcountry!

20-30 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by southwest winds at higher elevations. Forecasted northerly winds may reverse-load features and build fresh slabs. Now down 20-30 cm, this recent snow covers a crust on solar slopes and a layer of weak surface hoar in more shaded terrain.

Buried 40-60 cm deep, a layer of surface hoar, crust, and faceted crystals is a layer of concern. Observations are limited in this region but this layer has already produced avalanches in the neighbouring regions.

Snowpack depths at upper elevations are around 80-100 cm.

Thursday night

Mostly cloudy and increasing winds. Northwest ridgetop winds 20-30 km/h. Overnight alpine low temperature -12 C. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Friday

Clear skies with cloud cover increasing later in the day. Northwesterly ridge winds 15-30 km/h. Alpine high temperature -6 C.

Saturday

Cloudy skies and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Northeasterly ridge winds 15-30 km/hr.  Alpine temperatures, high of -6. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Sunday

Cloudy skies. Light flurries, up to 5 cm. Northwest ridge winds 20 km/h.  Alpine high temperature -14 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
• Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.