Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Boundary, East Stikine, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Stewart, West Stikine.
Recent storm slabs are likely to remain reactive. Stick to conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazard.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Observations have been limited by poor visibility through the storm. Natural and explosive triggered avalanches up to size 2 have been reported over the weekend; storm and wind slabs at upper elevations and loose wet below treeline.
Looking forward, human-triggered avalanches will remain likely as natural activity subsides.
Snowpack Summary
40 to 80 cm of recent storm snow overlies hard surfaces in wind exposed areas, facets and surface hoar in sheltered terrain, and crust on low elevation solar aspects.
A couple of layers of surface hoar buried in January exist in the top meter of the snowpack at treeline and below.
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 remains a concern in this region.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Mostly cloudy with a trace of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 25 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freeing level 1400 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freeing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs sit on a weak interface and will likely remain reactive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer buried 100 to 300 cm remains a concern.
Avoid shallow rocky areas where the snow transitions from thick to thin and triggering this layer is more likely.
If triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5