Kitimat

Shifting winds may form fresh, reactive slabs at higher elevations.

Buried weak layers may become more reactive as load increases.

Moderate

• We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.
• We are uncertain due to the track and intensity of the incoming weather system.

Several size 1-1.5 rider triggered wind slabs have been reported in the last 3 days. Recent activity has mainly occurred at treeline elevations and on north or west facing slopes. As winds switch expect the most reactive slabs to be in north and east facing terrain.

New snow will likely be redistributed by wind into deep deposits, while other areas scour. Storm snow falls over previously wind affected surfaces of sastrugi or old crusts.

20 to 40 cm of snow overlies a surface hoar, crust, facet layer in isolated, wind-sheltered terrain features (primarily at treeline and below).

A January crust and facet layer is buried 60 to 120 cm deep. Below, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.

Monday Night
Cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 4 to 20 cm of snow, favouring coastal terrain. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 35 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.