Avalanche Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Flurries, 5-15 cm. Light to moderate northwest wind, alpine temperature low -6C, and freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Weather models are showing a band of moisture moving from the Shuswap to the Purcells through the Nakusp area late Saturday evening and overnight, and may produce enhanced precipitation in localized areas of up to 25cm. 

SUNDAY: Snow and flurries, with up to 25 cm accumulating by the evening. Highest precipitation amounts are forecasted for the Monashees and southwest of Revelstoke. Moderate southwest wind, alpine high -3C, and freezing level beginning near valley bottom rising to about 1100 m.

MONDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries, up to 10 cm of snow possible. Light northwest wind, alpine high -4C, and freezing level beginning near valley bottom rising to about 1300 m.

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny with patchy clouds. Light to moderate southwest wind, alpine high +1C, and freezing level beginning near valley bottom rising above 1500 m.

On Friday, several glide slab avalanches (size 2-3) were observed on south and east aspects around the TCH highway corridor. Loose wet avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported around the region; a natural loose-wet cycle was reported around Rogers Pass initiating with evening rainfall.

On Thursday several loose wet avalanches to size two were reported on solar alpine features. Pin wheeling was also noted on north aspects below 2000 m in the afternoon.

On Wednesday a few loose-wet avalanches were seen on steep solar aspects below treeline. 

On Tuesday, a natural 1.5 loose wet avalanche was reported from steep rocky terrain and small loose-dry sluffs were easily triggered by skier traffic on northerly aspects. 

10-20 cm fresh snow accumulated around the region through Saturday with more forecasted through Sunday. Flurries and wind formed fresh slabs in immediate lees. 

New snow covers dry settled snow and surface hoar up to 10 cm on northerly aspects above 2000m, and crusts on solar aspects and lower elevations. Large cornices loom over alpine ridgetops.

Persistent weak layers of surface hoar, crusts, and/or facets 80-120 cm down have recently been unreactive and no recent avalanches have been reported on these layers. 

• Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 25cm of new snow.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.