Avalanche Forecast

Low - Due to the number of field observations

The cold Arctic air is expected to persist for a few more days but weather models are currently showing some precipitation on the weekend. On Thursday, a mix of sun and cloud is expected with treeline temperatures around -15C. A temperature inversion currently exists and temperatures at valley bottom are colder than at higher elevations. Alpine winds are expected to become moderate to strong from the northeast by Thursday afternoon. Similar conditions are expected for Friday with sun, treeline temperatures around -15C, a temperature inversion in the valley, and moderate to strong outflow winds. On Saturday, models are currently showing increasing cloud cover, slightly warmer temperatures, and winds switching to the northwest. Light precipitation is currently forecast for Saturday night.

No recent avalanches have been reported in this region.  If the winds increase on Thursday, new wind slab formation is possible in exposed terrain.

Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, wind slabs may exist on a wide variety aspects. According to reports near Smithers, there is a layer of surface hoar down 40-50 cm, though no recent activity has been reported on this layer. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.