Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, Northwest Inland, South Bulkley, Telkwa.
Avoid avalanche terrain.
Unseasonably warm weather will likely result in a widespread natural avalanche cycle.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Large natural wind slab and persistent slab avalanches (up to size 2.5) were reported on Friday. Pinwheeling and loose wet activity also occurred.
Over the last week, skiers were surprised by large avalanches; several were remotely triggered from a distance from low-angle or flat terrain. These avalanches failed on the buried weak layer described in the snowpack summary.
Expect natural avalanche activity to continue with the current warm weather.
Snowpack Summary
Expect surface snow to be wet or moist.
A layer of weak, faceted crystals over a crust, or surface hoar, is the primary layer of concern, buried around 40 to 80 cm deep. This layer has produced large avalanches, especially at treeline and below, during the last week.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly clear. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around +3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and clouds. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around +4 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around +4 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around +3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
For more details, see the Mountain Weather Forecast.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain as temperatures increase.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
The likelihood of persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather. Uncertainty remains about how the persistent weak layer will react to the rapid warming.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Loose Wet
Intense warming will likely trigger numerous loose wet avalanches. These may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger-than-expected avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5