Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, North Bulkley, Northwest Inland, South Bulkley, Telkwa.
A problematic weak layer has potential to surprise riders in features where a cohesive slab has formed over it.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Our field team observed several slab avalanches up to size 2 in the Telkwas on Monday, mostly in wind-loaded lees, all running on the December crust.
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of new snow blankets heavily wind-affected surfaces in the alpine and at treeline. Pockets of soft snow can be found in sheltered, lower angle terrain.
A significant weak layer is just reaching threshold with 30 to 70 cm of snow sitting above it, depending on wind loading patterns. The layer involves weak grains of surface hoar and facets sitting over a hard crust. This layer is likely to persist as an avalanche problem as it gets buried deeper.
The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and bonded.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Clearing. 10 to 30 km/h southeast wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Wednesday
Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h southeast wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy. Isolated flurries bringing up to 5 cm. 40 to 60 km/h southeast wind. Inversion developing; treeline temperature -16 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. Isolated flurries with minimal accumulation. 20 to 40 km/h southeast wind. Inversion; treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A widespread crust with weak grains overtop is buried 30-70 cm deep. This problem is specific to areas where a cohesive slab has formed over the layer, such as wind-loaded lee features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Watch for pockets of fresh wind slab forming in atypical terrain features and lower elevations as outflows pick up this week.
Aspects: North, North East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5