North Columbia

Assess for unstable conditions at higher elevations in your riding area.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds with no precipitation, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -7 C.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level rising to 1500 m.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 20 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -3 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -3 C.

Widespread loose wet and wet slab avalanche activity occurred during the warm-up on Wednesday. Similar avalanches are not expected to occur on Friday given the cool and cloudy weather forecast. 

Looking forward, riders may be able to trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features in steep alpine terrain. It also may be possible to trigger the weak layer described in the Snowpack Summary, where it still exists.

Above 2000 m, 5 to 15 cm of recent snow may have formed small wind slabs in lee terrain features from southwest wind. Below 2000 m, a hard melt-freeze crust or moist snow exists.

A weak layer may be found around 50 to 100 cm deep. The layer consists of surface hoar crystals in treeline terrain on northerly aspects or weak faceted grains above a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes (i.e., east, south, west). It has been reactive between 1800 and 2300 m but given the recent rain, it is most likely to be triggered between 2000 and 2300 m. It should still be treated as suspect if you find it in your riding area.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.

• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.