Northwest Coastal

Wind slabs have been reactive to human triggers in recent days. As you enter wind affected terrain, watch for wind slabs on all aspects especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Tuesday night: Cloudy with flurries bringing a trace, moderate to strong northwest wind, alpine low of -12.

Wednesday: Flurries bringing 5-10 cm, moderate to strong northwest wind, alpine high of -6.

Thursday: Sunny, light northwest wind, alpine high of -3.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine high of -1.

On Monday, natural size 2.5 wind slab avalanches were reported east of Kitimat. Otherwise, avalanche activity was limited to thin size 1 wind slabs and loose dry sluffing up to size 1.5.

On Sunday, several skiers were surprised by a handful of separate incidents of accidentally and remotely triggered size 2-2.5 (large) storm slabs, including the one reported in this MIN. These avalanches slid on the thick crust beneath the most recent storm snow. At least one was on a previously skied slope.

In the alpine, 30-50 cm of recent, variably wind-affected snow appears to be bonding poorly to the underlying crust. A surface crust exists at elevations below 1300 m.

The 10-30 cm thick rain crust beneath the recent snow effectively caps the underlying snowpack, making human triggering of avalanches on deeper weak layers very unlikely.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.