Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Boundary, East Stikine, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Stewart, West Stikine.
Keep your head up and be aware of large slopes above you
Avalanche activity has tapered off but large avalanches initiating in the alpine are still possible.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Rider and naturally triggered wind slab avalanches continue to be reported in this region. These avalanches have been up to size 2.5 and occurred on a variety of aspects in the treeline and alpine.
No deep persistent slab avalanches have been reported in the past few days but several were reported last week. These avalanches were generally in the alpine and up to size 3.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to strong northeast outflow wind has scour windward terrain and loaded south and west facing slopes at all elevations. In sheltered terrain 30 to 60 cm of snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.
Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 50 to 100 cm deep.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 150 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Friday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Activity on this layer has decreased but if it were triggered the resulting avalanche would be large and destructive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Strong outflow (northeast) wind has formed wind slabs on A variety of aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Up to 1 m overlies a crust and surface hoar layer from mid January. This layer is likely still rider triggerable in sheltered terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5