Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Overnight: Cloud developing this evening combined with strong southwest winds and 5-10 cm of new snow by morning. Friday: Overcast with 15-20 cm of new snow above 1000 metres combined with strong southwest winds. Saturday: 15-20 cm of new snow with freezing levels dropping below 1000 metres and winds backing off to moderate southwest. Sunday: Another 5-8 cm of new snow with moderate westerly winds.

Numerous natural storm slabs up to size 2.0 were reported on Wednesday, as well as one natural cornice size 2.0 in the south of the region, and one natural cornice size 3.0 near Stewart. Two natural persistent slab avalanches were reported northwest of Terrace on Tuesday that released down 100 cm and failed in shallow rocky areas adjacent o large slopes.. On Sunday, a machine-triggered Size 3 (with crown approximately 2m thick) was reported in the South Douglas area just north of Terrace on a northwest aspect near 1400m. The slab is suspected to have run on the late February interface and involves an incredible story of survival. Click here for details.

Storm slabs continue to develop in the alpine and at treeline. Warm daytime temperatures have created moist snow at treeline and wet snow below treeline. The February 21st persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for triggering large avalanches. This combination of crust and weak facets is now down 100-150 cm, and may be triggered by light additional loads in shallow weak spots adjacent to large terrain features. The snow below treeline may become weak and release as loose wet avalanches or wet slabs in steep unsupported terrain features.