Avalanche Forecast
North Columbia
The forecast snow and wind on Sunday is expected to create fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers. Use small slopes with low consequence to test the bond of the new snow.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid slopes where the snow feels stiff or slabby.
- Use small slopes with low consequence to test the bond of the new snow.
- Watch for whumpfing, shooting cracks, or signs of recent natural avalanches.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported within this region on Friday. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
The 5-15cm of new snow on Friday fell on a wide variety of surfaces including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. There is not yet significant new snow load or slab properties to create big problems, however, it will be important to monitor how the new snow is bonding to the smorgasbord of surfaces out there. When we receive significant new snow and it settles into a cohesive slab, you can bet there will be avalanches. I would be most concerned about areas that have surface hoar sitting on top of a hard crust.
A major feature in the snowpack is a crust which was formed by rain in late November. It is down approximately 30-60cm at treeline elevations and snowpack tests suggest the snow is currently bonding well to it.
Below treeline, the snowpack depth decreases rapidly. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: 2-5cm snow / Moderate to strong westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom
SUNDAY: 10-20cm snow / Strong westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries / Moderate westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.
TUESDAY: Cloudy / Light northerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.
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Expect the new snow to become very reactive to human triggers once it settles into a cohesive slab.