Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Jan 31 – Feb 1, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Conditions vary throughout the region and observations are limited. If you're heading to deeper snowpack areas in the region, defer to the NW Coast bulletin.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Triggering fresh soft wind slabs may be possible in exposed lee terrain near ridge crests, especially on steep unsupported slopes. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3–6
    New snow has been slowly accumulating over a layer of facets and surface hoar. In some areas, recent rain may have destroyed the layer. In other areas, the overlying slab may be primed for human triggering.

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is near valley bottom and ridge winds are light or moderate from the NW. Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is at valley bottom and ridge winds are light or moderate from the SW-SE. Wednesday: Light snow. The freezing level is at valley bottom and winds are moderate from the S-SE.

Avalanche Summary

There are no new reports of avalanches in the region. Widespread whumpfing is still being reported in a few parts of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Generally light amounts of new snow fell in the mountains around Smithers this week, while closer to 50 cm fell in areas further west. Exposed higher elevation slopes may have a dusting of new snow overlying previously wind-affected surfaces. This dusting of snow probably sits on a hard rain crust below 1200-1300 m. There is a notable persistent weakness of buried surface hoar in many places, generally found between 30 and 60 cm deep. Wind and milder temperatures may have helped to promote slab development in the snow overlying this interface. Stay tuned to signs of instability like recent avalanches, whumpfing (reported in a few areas), and shooting cracks. The mid pack was reported to be well settled, although various levels of faceting can be certainly be expected in the lower snowpack.

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