Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, East Stikine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Northwest Inland, Telkwa, West Stikine.
Tune in to the changing conditions of elevation, aspect, and time of day.
Be cautious in steep, rocky and wind-affected terrain where triggering a slab is most likely. Avoid steep sun-exposed slopes and overhead hazards during periods of strong sun.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
In the past few days avalanche activity has been limited to small (size 1) wet loose avalanches on steep solar aspects and a few natural cornice failures that did not pull slabs on the slopes below.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Cool, clear weather has promoted surface faceting and surface hoar growth. A crust exist on the surface on all aspects below 1800 m and up to at least 2000 m on solar aspects.
The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts.
The lower snowpack is composed of weak basal facets. This layer has produced limited recent avalanche activity, however it can quickly become active again with any significant change to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged and extensive warming.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Clear. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -5 °C. Ridge wind northeast 10-20 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Tuesday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Ridge wind light from the northeast. Freezing level rises to 2000 metres.
Wednesday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 1 °C. Ridge wind east 10-20 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1800 metres.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Ridge wind light from the southeast. Freezing level rises to 900 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Easterly wind may have redistributed the surface snow into fresh pockets of wind slab in the alpine.
Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak, sugary faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack. Riders are most likely to trigger this layer on steep, rocky slopes where the snowpack is thin and shallow. The likelihood of avalanche activity on this layer will increase during periods of rapid change to the snowpack, such as heavy snowfall, rain, or rapid warming. Cornices are also very large at this time of year and a cornice failure could trigger this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Loose Wet
Warm temperatures and strong sun may create wet loose avalanche in steep south-facing terrain.
Keep in mind, that wet loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2