Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, East Stikine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Northwest Inland, Telkwa.
Suspect unstable snow anywhere the surface snow is heavy and altered by the wind.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few new small natural and human triggered wind slab and loose dry avalanches have been reported in the region.
Larger avalanches on more deeply buried persistent weak layers were reported last week during a warm spell, like this one in the Telkwa area last Friday. Persistent problems like this one will be slow to change and improve.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
Ongoing snowfall over recent days has accumulated around 40 cm of fresh snow that is being affected by recent southwest winds. This all sits on a crust from the warming event on January 25th. Some of this new snow has been blown into wind slabs that can be easily triggered on the crust.
The mid and lower snowpack continues to bond and stabilize while a number of buried weak layers remain a concern and have produced a number of large avalanches last week.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Flurries up to 5 cm, with higher amounts north of Hazelton. Ridge wind 30-40 km/h from the southwest. Temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Flurries up to 5 cm. Ridge wind 20-30 km/h from the southwest. Temperature -3 °C.
SundayClearing. Possible flurries. Ridge wind 40-60 km/h from the west and northwest. Temperature -2 °C.
Monday5-10 cm with possible rain up to 900 m. Ridge wind 40-60 km/h from the west. Freezing level to 1100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow has been blown into wind slabs in lee and cross loaded features. Use caution in wind affected features and monitor for stiff snow, drum-like sounds and/or shooting cracks.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
A number of buried weak layers remain possible to trigger. These layers appear to be most problematic in upper treeline and alpine elevations, in shallow, variable, rocky start zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3