Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Howson, Kitimat, Nass, Northwest Coastal, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, West Stikine.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices. Ongoing wind and precipitation will keep the storm slab problem reactive.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Many storm and wind slabs were triggered naturally, by riders, and explosives on Sunday and Monday, releasing within the weekend's storm snow. We expect similar avalanche activity has taken place during the day on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Around 20cm of new storm snow sits over a layer of small surface hoar, facets and wind effected surfaces. On north and east aspects at treeline and above this new storm snow has formed wind slabs.
A layer of facets and a crust from late January can be found down 100 to 200cm. Below this layer the snowpack is generally well settled and right side up.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Stormy with 10 to 30cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southerly wind and a low of -4 at 1500m.
Thursday
Cloudy with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and a high of -6 at 1500m.
Friday
Stormy with 5 to 20cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southwest winds and a high of -6 at 1500m.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 15cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong westerly winds and a high of -4 at 1500m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Ongoing south through southwest winds and snowfall will add to the storm slab problem. The largest and most reactive slabs will be found at higher elevations on north and east aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5