Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Howson, Kitimat, Seven Sisters.
Wind slabs exist on north-facing slopes in the alpine. They may be reactive to rider triggering.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported.
Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine up to 10 cm of new snow sits above old wind-pressed snow and a crust interface. Isolated wind slabs exist in leeward (northerly) terrain.
A weak layer buried in late March is down 40-60 cm and exists as surface hoar and facets on north-facing slopes and a crust elsewhere. Reports indicate that this snow is settling and bonding to the old interface.
At treeline elevations, a melt-freeze crust exists on all aspects.
The mid and lower snowpack is considered generally strong and well-bonded.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Trace of new snow. Ridgetop winds 40-50 km/h from the southeast. Temperature at treeline around -5 C and freezing level valley bottom.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. Ridgetop wind 30-50 km/h from the southeast. Temperature at treeline around -4 C freezing level 1200 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind 15-20 km/h from the southwest. Temperature at treeline around -4C with freezing level 1100 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. Ridgteop wind 30-50 Km/h from the southwest. Temperature at treeline -3 C with freezing levels near 1100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh wind slabs may be reactive to rider triggering on leeward slopes in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2