Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Boundary, East Stikine, Kitimat, Nass, Ningunsaw, Northwest Coastal, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, West Stikine.
Strong outflow winds continue to build wind slabs, many into the lower alpine and treeline elevations.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, numerous wind slab and loose dry avalanches were reported up to size 2. Many occurring naturally and some rider triggered.
Snowpack Summary
Strong outflowing winds from the north east continue building wind slabs in alpine and down into treeline. Many exposed areas scoured to previous firm surfaces. These new wind slabs have formed over previous old wind slabs or old faceted layer.
In sheltered areas up to 40 cm of recent snow overlies a layer of buried surface hoar or a crust below 1700 m.
The rest of the snowpack is well settled.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Clear. No new snow expected, east alpine winds 50 km/h, treeline temperature -16° C.
Thursday
Increasing cloud throughout the day, no new snow expected, east alpine winds 20- 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy, up to 10 cm of snow Friday night, southerly alpine winds up to 20km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds up to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong outflow winds continue to build wind slabs, many into the lower alpine and treeline elevations. Previous wind variability makes forecasting aspect challenging. Use caution with cross loaded features that might be less obvious.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2