Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Coastal.
A weak layer of surface hoar lurks in sheltered features and wind will encourage slab cohesion. Be wary of wind loaded slopes, dig down and investigate the bond between recent snow and old surfaces, and bring your extra puffy - it's cold.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT - Cold and cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 cm / moderate west wind / alpine low temperature near -24
TUESDAY - Cold with clouds and isolated flurries, up to 10 cm accumulation / moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -20
WEDNESDAY - Sunny / moderate increasing to strong northeast wind / alpine high temperature near -20
THURSDAY - Sunny / moderate to strong east wind / alpine high temperature near -20
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, 2 size 1 natural avalanches were reported in near Bear Pass, its likely that winds had more impact in the northern areas of the forecast region.
On Saturday, a size 2 persistent slab avalanche was intentionally triggered on a north aspect at 1200 m, failing down 35 cm on surface hoar. Skiers also reported a reactive weak layer down 35 cm producing cracking underfoot and sudden results in test profiles between 800 and 1100 m. In the far north, a handful of small (size 1.5) wind slab avalanches failed naturally.
On Friday, numerous dry loose avalanches were reported up to size 2 during the storm in steep terrain.Â
On Thursday, reports indicated several small features were reactive up to size 1 on the surface hoar that was buried in late January.Â
Snowpack Summary
Cold temperatures are encouraging surface faceting and variable winds are impacting loose snow. The late January interface is down 30-70 cm, this consists of surface hoar in sheltered locations, a crust on solar features, and facets and stiff wind affected snow at upper elevations. Below treeline, 10-30 cm of snow sits above isolated pockets of surface hoar and a crust that is more prominent on solar aspects.Â
The mid-pack seems to be well settled. Deep persistent layers appear to have mostly become unreactive, with the exception of the Bear Pass area and the far reaches south of Kitimat.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Variable wind has formed reactive slabs on multiple aspects, and wind will continue to impact loose snow and reverse load features. Avalanches will be most likely in wind loaded areas and where the snow feels stiff or punchy. Be mindful of loose-snow or sluff in steeper features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
30-70 cm sits above a buried weak interface that consists of surface hoar, facets, and/ or a crust. As the snow above this layer becomes more consolidated, the likelihood of avalanches may increase.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2