Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy, up to 6 cm new snow, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -10 C. 

MONDAY: Mainly cloudy, trace of new snow, light to moderate southerly wind, treeline temperature -8 C.

TUESDAY: Mainly cloudy, 2 cm new snow, moderate southerly wind, treeline temperature -12 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, trace of new snow, moderate to strong westerly wind, treeline temperature -14 C.

A few small loose dry avalanches (sluffs) were triggered by skiers and released naturally on northern aspects in the alpine in the last couple of days (see this valuable MIN report). Several large natural dry loose avalanches (up to size 2.5) were reported on Thursday. Fresh small wind slabs and small dry loose avalanches (sluffs) on steep alpine slopes were reported on Tuesday. 

Isolated large avalanches failed during the storm last weekend on buried surface hoar in the southwest of the region where snowfall amounts were on the higher end (up to 15 cm). 

Sporadic deep persistent slab avalanches were reported 2-3 weeks ago (triggered with heavy loads such as explosives and cornices), but deeper weak layers appear unreactive under the current conditions.

10-30 cm recent low density snow has buried surface hoar, which was reported as widespread below treeline and isolated at sheltered treeline and alpine locations. A buried sun crust can be found on steep solar aspects underneath the new snow. The new snow sits on widespread wind scoured surfaces, older wind slabs in alpine and exposed treeline locations and open wind affected areas below treeline. A thick crust exists near the surface below 1000 m. 

The lower snowpack has two decomposing crust layers that have been causing a deep persistent slab problem for most of the past month. The upper crust is 70-140 cm deep in the Smithers area and continues to show occasional hard sudden results in snow pits. The deeper crust at the bottom of the snowpack continues to be a problem in shallow ranges like the Babines. These layers should be unreactive under the current conditions, but shallow rocky slopes should still be carefully assessed and approached with caution. 

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• 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.