Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Howson, Kitimat, Microwave-Sinclair, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames.
Avalanche activity has decreased, but reactivity may remain in wind-affected areas.
Seek out sheltered terrain if winds are moving snow and forming fresh slabs.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity has tapered since the storm with several riders triggered wind slabs in steep cross loaded features at higher elevations on Sunday.
During the storm, size 3 avalanches were observed, running on the buried weak layer 100-200 cm deep. Uncertainty exists over the ongoing reactivity of this layer.
Snowpack Summary
Light amounts of new snow sit over a large surface hoar layer on shaded slopes, and a crust on sun affected slopes. Up to 80 cm of recent settling storm snow can be found in sheltered areas, and variable wind affect in exposed terrain. Snow snow amounts taper rapidly with elevation to a firm melt freeze crust.
50 to 100 cm deep a layer of surface hoar, facets, or a thin crust exists. Reports suggest this layer is bonding well.
However, another persistent weak layer of surface hoar, facets and a crust is buried 120 to 200 cm deep. This layer produced large avalanches during the recent storm, and uncertainty exists over it's continued reactivity.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -5 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with possible flurries. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 10 cm of snow for most areas, while coastal terrain may see up to 30 cm. 60 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Reactive wind slabs may linger near ridgelines or in crossloaded terrain features. Potential remains for slabs to step down to deeper persistent weak layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A widespread crust with facets is buried 120-200 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