Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Boundary, East Stikine, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Stewart, West Stikine.
Weak layers in the snowpack continue to be a concern. A cautious approach is recommended, especially in high-elevation, north terrain where the snowpack remains most complex.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were observed on all aspects at treeline and in the alpine.
Natural wind slabs up to size 3 were observed earlier in the week before the warming event. Some of these stepped down to persistent weak layers in the middle of the snowpack.
Snowpack Summary
A widespread surface crust is expected to have formed following Thursday's warming event. The new snowfall on Friday and Saturday is expected to be redistributed by moderate winds in wind-exposed terrain.
Three layers of note currently exist in the mid-snowpack and still have the potential to cause large avalanches:
A layer of surface hoar and a crust that formed in mid-March is 50 to 80 cm below the snow surface.
Another layer of surface hoar that formed in early March buried 70 to 120 cm.
A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 120 to 200 cm deep.
The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with snowfall up to 6 cm. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with lingering flurries in the morning, 1-3 cm. 20-30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers from February and March remain reactive in the snowpack, but likely need a heavy trigger to cause a failure. These layers are most likely to be triggered on high north-facing terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Wind Slabs
Newly formed wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Cornices
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5