Regions
Northwest Inland.
Confidence
Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Generally unsettled conditions are expected for tonight and Wednesday before a weak system impacts the central coast on Wednesday night or Thursday morning resulting in light snowfall for the region.Tuesday night: Light intermittent snowfall 2-5cm, tree line temperatures around -4C, ridge top winds 20-40km/h SWWednesday: A mix of sun and cloud, light intermittent snowfall 1-3cm, tree line temperatures around -4C, ridge top winds 20-40km/h SW-WThursday: Cloudy with light snow 4-8cm, tree line temperatures around -6C, ridge top winds 40-60km/h W-NWFriday: Freezing level at valley bottom, trace of precipitation, ridge top winds light from the southwest
Avalanche Summary
Reports of whumpfing, settlements, and recent avalanche activity from Smithers area on the weekend.Still hearing reports from the NW inland of whumpfing and reactive slab activity. Natural avalanches have been running, especially on lee slopes. Numerous size 1-2 skier remote (up to 50 m away) slab avalanches released down 60 cm all on the old buried surfaces mentioned above in the snowpack summary. A poor bond exists with the new snow and old surfaces; however, the Inland region probably lacks the snow amounts to be as reactive as the Coastal region. I would be, however, be highly suspicious of wind loaded slopes at all elevations, use conservative terrain choices and make observations as you travel.
Snowpack Summary
The region has received between 35-65 cm of new snow which overlies a variety of old surfaces. These buried surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong winds and slight warming has added cohesion to the new storm slab, and has transported the new snow into deeper, potentially more destructive wind slabs on the lee side of ridge tops.The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.