Avalanche Forecast

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is near valley bottom and ridge winds are light or moderate from the NW. Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is at valley bottom and ridge winds are light or moderate from the SW-SE. Wednesday: Light snow. The freezing level is at valley bottom and winds are moderate from the S-SE.

There are no new reports of avalanches in the region. Widespread whumpfing is still being reported in a few parts of the region.

Generally light amounts of new snow fell in the mountains around Smithers this week, while closer to 50 cm fell in areas further west. Exposed higher elevation slopes may have a dusting of new snow overlying previously wind-affected surfaces. This dusting of snow probably sits on a hard rain crust below 1200-1300 m. There is a notable persistent weakness of buried surface hoar in many places, generally found between 30 and 60 cm deep. Wind and milder temperatures may have helped to promote slab development in the snow overlying this interface. Stay tuned to signs of instability like recent avalanches, whumpfing (reported in a few areas), and shooting cracks. The mid pack was reported to be well settled, although various levels of faceting can be certainly be expected in the lower snowpack.