Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Boundary, East Stikine, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Stewart, West Stikine.
There have been several large avalanches reported throughout the region.
Conditions remain primed for human triggering and a conservative mindset remains critical.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, several avalanches up to size 3 were reported throughout the region.
Many of these avalanches were triggered by cornices falling and initiating avalanches on layers deeper in the snowpack. Expect cornices to remain reactive with warm, sunny weather.
Snowpack Summary
Wind-transported snow has likely built deeper slabs on northerly aspects at upper elevations. South-facing slopes have formed a crust and lower-elevation snow may be crusty as freezing levels fall.
The upper metre of the snowpack is complicated. This snow sits above several significant weak layers that formed during the January and February dry spells. These include facets, surface hoar (in sheltered terrain), and crust on solar aspects. These layers are currently reactive.
Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of facets and a crust from early December varies in depth from 100 to 300 cm. This layer appears to be dormant but remains an isolated concern in this region.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.Freezing level 1100 m.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -4. Freezing level 900 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -4. Freezing level 900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Conservative terrain selection is critical; choose gentle, low consequence lines.
- Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs sit on a weak interface and are are expected to be reactive to human triggering. Deeper deposits of wind-transported snow may exist in leeward and cross-loaded terrain, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers in the upper snowpack remain reactive and may produce large avalanches.
A deeply buried weak layer from December remains an isolated concern, and the potential for smaller avalanches to step down to this layer still exists.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5