Avalanche Forecast
Wind slabs are the main problem at upper elevations. Uncertainty remains around the reactivity of buried weak layers lingering in sheltered areas around treeline.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, between Terrace and the coast, numerous naturally triggered storm slab and wet loose avalanches were reported at treeline and below.
On Monday, in the Shames backcountry, sounds of large avalanches in big terrain were reported. See this MIN post for more details of what sounded like a soggy day.
If you head into the backcountry please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network!
Snowpack Summary
Incremental snowfall continues to accumulate daily. At treeline and below, the upper snowpack is wet and/or crusty. At upper elevations, strong southwest to southeast winds have formed wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain, while scouring windward slopes.
Two buried layers of surface hoar are widespread in the mid snowpack, buried 50-100 cm, and 90-130 cm deep. The remaining mid and lower snowpack contains several well-bonded crusts. Snow depths are highly variable depending on elevation, and decrease rapidly below treeline.
Weather Summary
Wednesday night
Cloudy with flurries up to 5 cm. Moderate southeast wind. Freezing level 500 m, up to 1800 m near coastal inlets.
Thursday
Cloudy with snow flurries turning to rain below 1500 m; 5mm for most areas, 15mm west of Kitimat. Moderate to strong southeast wind. Treeline temperatures around 1 °C.
Friday
5-10 mm of rain below 1800 m. Strong southeast wind. Treeline temperatures around 3 °C.
Saturday
10-20 mm of rain below 1800 m. Moderate southerly wind. Treeline temperatures around 3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds have shifted from southwest to southeast, forming wind slabs on a variety of aspects.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Last week, large avalanches were running on layers of surface hoar now around 1 m deep. Although reactivity has seemed to subside, continue to approach sheltered slopes at and below treeline with caution for now.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely at elevations where precipitation falls as rain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5