Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, East Stikine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Northwest Inland, Telkwa, West Stikine.
Watch for lingering wind slabs that may remain reactive to human triggering.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, avalanche activity has begun to subside as only a few small ( size 1) loose wet avalanche were reported and initiated from very steep south aspect terrain at treeline elevations and below. On specific terrain features such as smooth rock slabs, glide slab cracking and buckling was reported,
On Tuesday A few naturally triggered small loose wet avalanches were observed with one large (size 2) that initiated in a steep rocky feature in the alpine running onto the glacier below. A noted natural small (size 1) wind slab avalanche on a northeast aspect in the alpine was reported. Additional reports of large (size 2) glide slab avalanches occurring on a south aspect in terrain with rock slab features being the ground roughness characteristic.
On Monday, numerous small wet loose avalanches (size 1) were observed on steep, rocky solar slopes at higher elevations.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Variable winds have built wind slabs on exposed terrain features near ridgetop. Below 1800 m moist snow or a refrozen melt freeze crust covers the surface. The crust extends up to 2000 m on solar aspects.
The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts.
The lower snowpack is composed of weak basal facets. This layer has produced limited recent avalanche activity, however it can quickly become active again with any significant change to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged and extensive warming.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with isolated very light flurries, trace amounts of accumulation. Light northwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.
Saturday
Cloudy with periods of clearing, no new precipitation. Light northwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels 1100 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with some periods of clearing no new precipitation. Light to moderate southeast winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels 1200 m.
Monday
Cloudy , becoming clear in the afternoon. No new precipitation. Light to moderate northeast winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Storm snow has been redistributed by switching winds and creating deeper deposits in exposed alpine and treeline features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak, sugary faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack. Riders are most likely to trigger this layer on steep, rocky slopes where the snowpack is thin and shallow. The likelihood of avalanche activity on this layer will increase during periods of rapid change to the snowpack, such as heavy snowfall, rain, or rapid warming. Cornices are also very large at this time of year and a cornice failure could trigger this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Loose Wet
When temperatures rise and the sun appears expect on steep south aspect terrain that a natural wet loose avalanche cycle will occur. Even a small loose wet avalanche has enough mass to push a skier into a terrain trap such as a cliff or gulley.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2