Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Boundary, East Stikine, Howson, Kispiox, Kitimat, Nass, Ningunsaw, Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, West Stikine.
Tricky conditions exist.
Stick to conservative terrain and keep a wide berth from overhead hazard.
Remote avalanches continue and are propagating further than you may expect.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Natural, rider and remotely triggered slab avalanches up to size 2.5 continued to be reported over the past 3 days. Remote triggers indicate a very sensitive snowpack, highlighting the need for very conservative terrain choices right now.
Most recent avalanches occurred on north and east facing slopes at treeline and above. Avalanches have been mostly failing on the facets below the storm snow, while some occurred on the buried crust 50-100 cm deep.
Snowpack Summary
30-60 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by strong and variable winds at upper elevations. The wind-affected snow sits over facets, crust, and surface hoar in sheltered terrain. Reports show this is not bonding well, producing ongoing reactivity including remote avalanches.
A thick crust with weak facets on top is buried 50-100 cm deep. This layer has been problematic, producing step-down avalanches.
Below, the mid and lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.
Weather Summary
Lower temperatures given are expected in the north of this region.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. 60-90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 to -16 °C.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Flurries taper early in the morning. 20-40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 to -12 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. Possible flurries 30-50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 to -10 °C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. Possible flurries 20-30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 to -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind affected snow can be found on most aspects. Watch for the 'typical' wind loaded features near ridgelines, and unusual features like cross-loaded gullies and ribs or wind deposited snow lower on slope than normal.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Two layers of concern exist in the upper metre of the snowpack, consisting of crust, facets and surface hoar. These are likely to be most reactive in sheltered north and east facing terrain, where weak layers are more easily preserved.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5