Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Inland.
Danger is decreasing over the week, but avalanches are still possible in wind affected terrain.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear, 30 km/h wind from the east, alpine temperatures drop to -18 C.
THURSDAY: Sunny, light wind from the east, alpine temperatures around -10 C.
FRIDAY: Sunny, light wind from the northeast, alpine temperatures around -6 C.
SATURDAY: Sunny, light wind from the north, alpine temperatures around -6 C.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported in the region, but it's safe to assume the storm over the weekend caused natural avalanches at higher elevations. The main concern this week is areas where wind may have blown surface snow into deep and reactive wind slabs. Concern is reduced in areas where the snow depths have not yet reach the threshold for avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 30 cm of snow accumulated in the region over the weekend. Since then cold windy conditions have likely formed wind slabs in open terrain. Observations in the region are limited, but we have indications that for most areas where previous snow cover existed, the new snow buried a thick crust. A MIN report from the Ashman area (west of Smithers) suggests the new snow bonded well to the crust, but that may not be the case elsewhere in the region. Given the lack of recent snowpack observations, we suggest carefully monitoring the bond of the new snow to this crust. Total snow depths are 50-100 cm in alpine areas around Smithers, with depths diminishing rapidly below 1500 m.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
You may find old hard wind slabs on all aspects and softer fresh slabs on west and south facing slopes. This problem is likely more pronounced in alpine terrain and near ridgetops.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2