Avalanche Forecast
North Columbia
The recent storm snow is being re-distributed by winds at upper elevations. Watch for freshly wind-loaded areas and pay attention to how the storm snow has bonded to the old crusts.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be careful with wind loaded slopes, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Avalanche Summary
A widespread natural avalanche cycle to size 3 was reported on Tuesday on all aspects at tree line and in the alpine. Solar aspects however were the most reactive with numerous size 3 storm slabs running on the recently buried crust.
Several skier triggered size 1-2 storm slabs were also report on east and southwest aspects at treeline and above.
On Monday, backcountry skiers triggered a size 2 wind slab near the Asulkan cabin on a northeast aspect near 2050m. The slab's thickness varied from 40-60cm. See the MIN report for more details.
Over the past weekend, we received reports of several wind slabs and storm slabs to size 2.5, mostly on northerly aspects above 2200m. Also on Saturday, a wet loose size 1.5 avalanche injured a skier in Glacier National Park on a west aspect near 2000m.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow amounts following Tuesday's storm typically range from 40 to 50 cm and up to 70 cm in some areas. This snow has fallen with moderate to strong winds from the south / east switching to west and northwest.
The recent storm snow sits a variety of old surfaces; crust on solar aspects and all aspects below 1900m, and surface hoar on high north and east aspects.
A deeper crust/surface interface buried March 18th is now down about 60 to 80 cm and is similar to the old surface.
Deeper persistent weak layers from January and December are generally considered dormant, but could wake up with a surface avalanche stepping down, large cornice fall, or a human trigger in a shallow or variable-depth snowpack area. These layers consist of sun crust, surface hoar and/or facets.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Ridge wind light to moderate, west. Alpine temperature near -6. Freezing level 700 m. Snow beginning late afternoon.
FRIDAY: Flurries. Accumulation 10-20 cm. Ridge wind moderate to strong northwest. Alpine temperature near -6. Freezing level 1000 m.
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light, west. Alpine temperature near -6. Freezing level 1000 m.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- North Columbia URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/north-columbia.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Storm slabs are expected to remain touchy, especially in wind-loaded areas above treeline. South aspects has been especially reactive due the presence of a buried crust beneath the recent storm snow.