Avalanche Forecast

Numerous storm and wind slabs were triggered by explosives on Monday within the weekend's storm snow. There was also evidence of a large (size 3) naturally-triggered avalanche in a shallow snowpack area north of Smithers and east of Hazelton. It occurred at 1750 m on a northerly aspect in a cross-loaded terrain feature and stepped down to basal facets.

Looking ahead, riders could still trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features as they slowly bond to the snowpack. There is also a possibility of triggering deeper layers described in the Snowpack Summary.

Variable snowfall amounts accumulated across the region over the weekend but most areas received around 20 cm with strong southwest wind. The wind scoured wind-exposed terrain and formed wind slabs in lee terrain features. A bit of new snow and strong wind on Wednesday will build on these.

A melt-freeze crust is found about 80 cm deep. Weak faceted grains may be associated with it in shallow snowpack areas. This layer may have been the culprit for a large avalanche within the past week north of Smithers in a shallow snowpack terrain feature.

An old surface hoar layer from early January may be found about 100 to 150 cm, but there hasn't been any recent avalanche observations on it.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -11 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 to 50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Cloudy with snowfall then clearing, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 to 30 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -9 °C.

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 40 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
• Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.