North Columbia

Continued unsettled weather with a gradual cooling. The snowpack will take a few days to adjust to its new load. In the meantime a cautious approach is recommended.

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, light southeast wind, alpine temperature -5, freezing level 1300mSATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, wind light southeast, alpine temperature -5SUNDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and the chance of isolated flurries, wind light southeast, alpine temperature -7More details can be found on the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Earlier in the week a person walking at 600 metres elevation triggered a wind slab avalanche 100 cm deep running on a facet layer. It was 20 metres wide on a smooth north aspect that released a size 2.0 avalanche burying one person with just their hand exposed. The person was rescued by their companion. Click here to see the MIN post. Recent reports over the past two days indicate several natural avalanches to size 2.5 and 3. These avalanches were occurring on all aspects in the alpine and are isolated to the most recent storm snow. There were also a few skier controlled avalanches to size 2 releasing as a storm slab in the upper tree line elevation band.

The most recent new snow and southwest wind have formed storm and wind slabs that are sitting on a variety old surfaces that include facets, surface hoar and hard wind slabs. The newly buried surface hoar was reported to be up to 10mm in size in protected areas. A layer of sugary faceted snow and spotty surface hoar which formed during mid December's cold snap now lies 100-120cm below the surface. This layer is now dormant in many areas, but may still be a concern in shallow snowpack parts of the region, particularly around Clemina Creek. It is highly recommended to investigate this layer before committing to any large, unsupported features. The lower snowpack seems to be generally strong and well settled.