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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2023–Apr 6th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Watch for lingering wind slabs around ridgelines as you gain elevation

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday a size 1 rider triggered wind slab was reported. Avalanche activity has tapered off but reactivity remains possible on isolated features.

Snowpack Summary

Gradual accumulations of fresh snowfall will be redistributed by southerly winds into wind slabs over 20 cm of settling storm snow on north facing slopes. On sun affected slopes and lower elevations storm snow will fall over a crust - however strong winds will likely keep the crust on the surface.

The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts. Near the ground, weak faceted crystals exist. There hasn't been avalanche activity on this layer recently, but it remains on our radar as it may become active with abrupt changes to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged warming.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy, up to 5 cm of snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds, freezing levels remain around 1000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy, trace to 5 cm of snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds, freezing levels around 1500 m.

Friday

Cloudy, 5-10 cm of snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds, freezing levels around 1000 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with strong to extreme southerly winds. Light snowfall continues.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

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.