Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Howson, Hudson Bay, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.
Wind slabs have potential to step down to buried weak layers, resulting in large, consequential avalanches.Choose lower angle slopes that have not been wind-affected.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Thursday & Wednesday, several wind slab avalanches size 1.5 to 2 were reported on east aspects in the alpine. Some were cornice-triggered and one was noted to have stepped down the persistent weak layer. See photo below.
Visibility has been poor recently and reports have been limited.
Natural avalanche activity has likely subsided with the cooling trend and minimal flurries in the forecast. However, strong winds persist, keeping human-triggered avalanches possible.
Snowpack Summary
Strong westerly through northwesterly winds have been building thick wind slabs on lee slopes near ridgetops. These slabs may need a few days to bond.
Recent snowfall has been variable throughout the region; between 10 and 30 cm since the start of the week. Below 1000 m, the snow surface may be moist, wet or crusty.
The storm snow may cover a thin sun crust on south to west facing slopes.
A significant weak layer composed of weak facets overlying a crust is buried 40 to 80 cm deep. This layer has been stubborn to unreactive in recent snowpack tests, but may remain possible to trigger in isolated areas.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 45 to 55 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong northwesterly ridgetop winds have been building wind slabs. Watch for blowing snow and avoid leeward slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A widespread crust with weak crystals overtop is buried 40-80 cm deep. While this layer exists on all aspects, it's most likely to be triggered by a heavy load on wind-loaded slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3