Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Boundary, East Stikine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, North Bulkley, Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, South Bulkley, Stewart, Telkwa, West Stikine.
Assess your line before committing, the upper snowpack is not well bonded to a crust underneath.
Avalanche activity may be decreasing, but human-triggered avalanches are still possible.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Snowpack tests conducted by our field team at Hankin on Tuesday indicated that the persistent weak layer remains concerning. Touchy fractures 45 cm below the surface.
Recent slab avalanche activity was noted around Telkwa on Monday.
Field observations have been limited, if you head out, please consider submitting a Mountain Information Network post.
Snowpack Summary
In alpine and open treeline areas expect highly variable surface conditions from exposed crust, 15 to 30 cm of wind-affected snow, or large sastrugi. (See photo below) There is significantly more snow as you travel north of Hazelton.
This sits over a variety of surfaces including facets over a crust, old hard wind slabs, or surface hoar. The surface hoar is most likely to be found in sheltered areas at treeline and below.
Another layer of weak, faceted crystals and a crust may be found buried 30 to 60 cm deep.
The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, partly cloudy by the morning. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -15 °C, with possible temperature inversion.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy in the north half of the forecast area, mostly sunny in the south. Light southwest ridgetop wind, increasing to moderate in the northern half of the forecast area. Temperature inversion breaking down. Treeline high around -10 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 6 cm of snow expected. Moderate south or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -5 °C. Up to 5 °C colder in the north half of the forecast area.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow expected, possibly 10 to 15 cm in areas around Stewart. Moderate south or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -2 °C. Up to 5 °C colder in the north half of the forecast area.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Cold temperatures and light winds have diminished wind slab properties. Hard slabs remain reactive to the weight of a human. Isolated areas may contain much deeper deposits than anticipated.
Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
Weak sugary facets overlying a crust or a layer of buried surface hoar may be susceptible to human triggers in isolated areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5