Avalanche Forecast
North Columbia
Slab formation remains the critical factor for avalanche danger under current conditions. The best and safest riding will be in soft, unconsolidated snow.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
- Be aware of areas that have been reverse loaded by winds
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
The December 15 interface will likely be most reactive where the new snow has settled into a slab over buried surface hoar. Use extra caution around steeper, sheltered slopes at treeline and below - especially if you see signs of slab formation.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for signs of slab formation, such as whumpfing and shooting cracks
- Buried surface hoar is more likely to be preserved in sheltered openings at and below tree line.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Friday included one skier-triggered Size 2 persistent slab avalanche from a steep, rocky feature on a west aspect at 2100m in the Monashees. The late November crust was indicated as its failure plane.
Reports from the previous few days included several natural storm and wind slab avalanches to size 2.5 in the alpine and tree line. There were also a few reports of skier accidental and remote (triggered from a distance) avalanches from size 1.5-2 below tree line. These avalanches released at the December 15 interface.
Persistent slab avalanche danger can be expected to persist in areas where our recent snow consolidates into a slab above the December 15 interface. In areas where new snow has not yet consolidated into a slab, expect continued potential for triggering loose dry avalanches in steep terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Last week's stormy weather brought 40-60cm of new snow to the region. Cold temperatures since the storm have generally slowed consolidation of the new snow, with the exception of wind-affected areas. The new snow lies over a wide variety of old surfaces, including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. The bond at this old snow interface is of critical importance in areas where the overlying snow has consolidated into a slab. The most concerning areas areas will be those that have seen previous surface hoar development, such as sheltered areas at and below tree line and sheltered northerly aspects in the alpine.
A crust which was formed by rain in late November is another major feature in the snowpack and is down approximately 80-110cm at treeline elevations. Although an isolated incident, one avalanche report from Friday suggests this layer can be coaxed into reacting in steep, variable snowpack areas.
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Mainly sunny. Light northwest winds. Alpine temperatures around -14.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light north winds. Alpine temperatures around -20.
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest winds. Alpine temperatures around -19.
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Shifting winds since the storm have been redistributing new snow into wind slabs on a variety of aspects. The freshest slabs are the result of recent northerly winds. Keep this reverse loading pattern in mind as you gain elevation.