Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Howson, Kitimat, Nass, Northwest Coastal, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, West Stikine.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices. Ongoing wind and precipitation will keep the storm slab problem reactive.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Natural wind slab avalanches were reported in lee terrain at treeline and above around Stewart and further north. These avalanches were up to size 3.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30cm of new storm snow sits over a layer of small surface hoar, facets and wind effected surfaces. Below treeline around 10cm of new snow sits over a crust up to 950m.On north and east aspects at treeline and above storm snow has formed wind slabs.
A layer of facets and a crust from late January can be found down 100 to 200cm. Below this layer the snowpack is generally well settled and right side up.
Check out this MIN from our field team for more details.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and a low of -6 at 1500m.
Friday
Stormy with 5 to 20cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southwest winds and a high of -4 at 1500m.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 15cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong westerly winds and a high of -5 at 1500m.
Sunday
Stormy with 5 to 50cm of new snow expected. Strong southwest winds and a high of -2 at 1500m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Ongoing south through southwest winds and snowfall will add to the storm slab problem. The largest and most reactive slabs will be found at higher elevations on north and east aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5