Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, Northwest Inland, South Bulkley, Telkwa.
Start on small slopes, and check for signs of instability before committing to steep or high-consequence terrain.
Riding conditions and avalanche problems will change with elevation.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday before 4 pm.
On Sunday and Monday, numerous small to large (up to size 2) naturally triggered avalanches were reported across the forecast area in steep, north and east-facing alpine terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find 5-10 cm of soft, dry snow on the surface in sheltered areas of the alpine, shallower and more moist at treeline. A thin frozen crust exists near the surface. Moderate to strong wind has formed reactive wind slabs on north through east-facing terrain, and exposed the crust on windward terrain.
At around 1000 m and below, the snowpack is shallower (around 50 cm) and likely isothermal. If you stand in it, your foot sinks right to the ground.
A variety of previously concerning weak layers buried from early to mid-January can be found 30 - 80 cm below the snow surface. As the temperature cools after warm temperatures and rain, these layers appear to be strengthening.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 2-5 cm of snow expected above 1000 m. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -1 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy. Very light rain expected, snow above 1500 m. Moderate ridgetop wind, shifting from SW to SE. Treeline temperature around 0 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. Very light rain and snow expected as freezing level drops to valley bottom. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -7 °C.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light to moderate northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
In areas where wind has formed dense pockets of snow below ridge crests, rolls, and in cross-loaded gullies, human-triggered avalanches could be possible. At treeline, this problem is isolated to steep, rocky, alpine-like features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Use caution when encountering moist or wet snow in steep areas or gullies.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5