Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2023–Apr 9th, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

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, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

Watch for changing conditions as you move through different aspects and elevations. Expect wind slabs to develop at higher elevations as snowfall accumulates.

Wet loose avalanches may become likely at lower elevations with rain and warm temperatures.

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 or where new wind loading is occurring. Observations are also limited at this point in the season, please post any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

Around 40 cm of recent snowfall is available at higher elevations to be/or have been redistributed into wind slabs on north-facing terrain features. This sits over wind-affected surfaces or a crust on south-facing slopes that extends into the alpine.

A buried weak layer from late March of a surface hoar and facets on north facing slopes and a crust elsewhere has produced recent reactivity in the coastal areas. This layer may become reactive here too as snowfall accumulates.

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

Saturday Night

Cloudy with strong southerly winds. Up to 5 cm of snowfall again. Freezing levels 800-1000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 15 cm of snow. Strong to extreme southerly winds. Freezing levels 1000-1300 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with flurries is possible. Freezing levels around 1000 m. Moderate southwest winds.

Monday

Mostly sunny with light and variable winds. Freezing levels around 1300 m.

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.
A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.