North Columbia

Observe your local conditions and let that inform your terrain choices. Dynamic spring weather dropped variable amounts of snow around the region.

Watch for signs of slab instability like shooting cracks or fresh avalanches, and use extra caution around slopes that are being warmed by the sun.

On Sunday, east and west of Revelstoke, the new snow was generally reported to be reactive to rider traffic, but producing small (size 1-1.5), low density, low consequence avalanches.

One avalanche on an east aspect around treeline slid 50 cm deep on the frozen crust that was buried at the end of March.

Remember that your terrain choice is a significant factor in how harmful an avalanche can be to you. Even thin, low density avalanches can result in bigger consequences in steep terrain, around terrain traps, and in large, committing features.

On Saturday, around the forecast area, numerous small, and a few large avalanches were reported in the storm snow. They occurred mostly on north and northeast aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Storm slabs, wind slabs, and loose dry avalanches were equally represented.

Recent convective weather has resulted in variable snowfall amounts across the forecast area.

15-30 cm of recent snow sits over a thin crust on steep slopes facing the sun right up into the alpine. Recent moderate southwest wind may have formed deeper deposits of snow on leeward slopes. On high, north-facing terrain, wind slabs may sit over facets and surface hoar.

The mid-snowpack is generally strong but the lower snowpack is a different story. The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. This layer remains a concern in rocky, shallow, or thin to thick snowpack areas at treeline and above.

A generally convective weather pattern will mean that the next few days will have spotty areas of cloud and light snowfall, or quick bursts of intense snowfall, but it also might be sunny, and everything could change at the drop of a hat.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. Possible trace of snow expected. Light north or northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom. Treeline low around -8°C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy, possible sunny areas. Possible trace of snow expected. Up to 5cm in some areas. Light northwest ridgetop wind, increasing in the afternoon. Freezing level rising to around 1300m. Treeline high around -6°C.

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny. Possible trace of snow expected. Up to 5cm in isolated areas. Light north or northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level at valley bottom overnight, rising to around 1500m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. Possible trace of snow expected. Light north or northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level at valley bottom overnight, rising to around 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
• Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
• In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.