Kitimat

Choose conservative, low consequence terrain

Storm slabs have been sensitive to rider traffic due to underlying weak layers

On Wednesday several size 1 skier triggered persistent and storm slab avalanches were reported. These avalanches were on north and south aspects at treeline and above, they were easy to trigger due to surface hoar beneath.

By Friday morning 15 to 35 cm of recent storm snow may have fallen with southerly wind forming deeper deposits on northerly aspects. This recent snow will overlie a variety of surfaces including a layer of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and wind-affected snow or a sun crust in exposed terrain.

Two layers of surface hoar from January can be found in the top meter of the snowpack.

A layer of facets on top of a crust from early December is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. This layer is generally not a concern in this region.

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 mm of mixed precipitation. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 15 to 30 mm of mixed precipitation. 20 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.