South Columbia

Avalanche hazard is low, it's appropriate to ride big terrain.

Use normal caution, apply good travel habits, and reduce your exposure to cornice hazard when possible.

High

• We are confident due to a stable weather pattern.

Several large avalanches were reported on Wednesday but details on these avalanches was limited.

A melt-freeze crust, with surface hoar above it, extends up to at least 2000 m on all aspects and to mountain tops on solar aspects. On north aspects in the alpine, dry wind-affected snow may still be found. The snow surface is expected to become moist on sun exposed slopes.

Cornices are large and overhanging.

Weak layers from mid December and early January are still found in the upper and mid snowpack. Triggering these layers is unlikely, except with large loads or in thin snowpack areas.

Thursday Night
Clear skies. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Friday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday
Sunny. 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Sunday
Mostly sunny. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
• Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.