Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

MONDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy skies, 20 km/h southwest wind, freezing level steady around 1300 m with treeline temperatures around 0 C.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbs from 1300 to 1700 m throughout the day, treeline temperatures climb to +4 C.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny, light southwest wind, freezing level climbs from 2000 to 2700 m throughout the day, treeline temperatures climb to +8 C.

THURSDAY: Sunny, light southwest wind, freezing level steady around 2800 m, treeline temperatures around +8 C.

Warm sunny weather this week will likely cause wet loose avalanches on sun-exposed slopes and large cornice falls.

Over the weekend there were a few reports of size 2 human triggered slab avalanches around Shames and Kitimat. There were also numerous reports of large cornice failures (size 2-2.5), some of which triggered wind slab avalanches on the slopes below. Additionally, small (size 1) wet loose avalanches on solar aspects were reported at all elevations.

Sunny skies and rising freezing levels will result in melting surfaces on solar aspects and lower elevations. 20-30 cm of recent snow is quickly settling and strengthening, although wind slabs could linger at upper elevations. The mid/lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas. Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines, and are capable of triggering avalanches when they fail.

Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.

• Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
• Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
• Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.