Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Howson, Kitimat, Nass, Northwest Coastal, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, West Stikine.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles. Large rider triggerable avalanches are possible.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
In the north of the forecast region a skier controlled size 1.5storm slab avalanche was reported. This avalanche was triggered at treeline on a crust layer from late January. The slab was 50cm deep.
Large avalanches on more deeply buried persistent weak layers are continuing to be reported.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 80cm of recent storm snow overlies facets and various wind-affected surfaces in alpine terrain. At treeline a widespread, supportive, melt-freeze crust can be found up to 1800m and at all elevations on steep solar slopes. Much of this new snow is being blown into thick wind slab by southwest winds and will not bond well to the underlying surfaces. This MIN does a good job showcasing this.
The new snow is not bonding well to the underlying surfaces.
The mid and lower snowpack continues to bond and stabilize while a number of buried weak layers remain a concern and have produced a few large avalanches recently.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Stormy with 5 to 15cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Moderate southerly winds at ridgetops. Freezing level falling to 900mthroughout the night.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Moderate to strong southwest winds and a high of -6 at 1500m.
Monday
Stormy with 20 to 50cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Strong southwest winds and freezing level rising to 1100m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southerly winds and a high of -6 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.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will remain reactive to rider traffic due to the surfaces they have formed over.
The largest and most reactive slabs will be found on north and east aspects at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A more deeply buried weak layer still presents a Low Probability/High Consequence situation. New snow and wind will stress test this weakness in the snowpack. This layer would be most easily triggered in places where the snowpack is shallow and rocky.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5