Avalanche Forecast

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Overnight Thursday: Snow 5-10 cm with strong West winds and freezing levels 500 m.

Friday: Snow 5-10 cm with strong southwest wind. Alpine temperatures near -2 and freezing levels 1100 m.

Saturday: Snow 10 cm. Strong southwest wind and freezing levels near 1000 m.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud, windy and freezing levels 900 m.

No new avalanches reported on Thursday.

A wind slab avalanche likely stepped down to the weak faceted grains described in the snowpack summary, forming a large avalanche near Smithers earlier this week. With forecast new snow, strong winds, and rising freezing levels avalanche danger will likely be on the rise.

Data in this region is very sparse. Please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network; even just a photo of your day helps. Thank you to those that have already submitted this winter.

Up to 15 cm of new snow and strong wind from the southwest have built the freshest wind slabs on the northeast facing slopes at treeline and in the alpine. These slabs may overly a melt-freeze crust from early December, which may have weak and sugary faceted grains growing around it. 

At the base of the snowpack sits the early-November crust with weak faceted grains below. These faceted grains have formed large avalanches in both the south and north of the region within the past week.

Snowpack depths vary substantially with aspect, elevation, and wind exposure. Below treeline the terrain may still be below the threshold for avalanches. 

• Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
• Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.