Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Thursday cracking and whumpfing, which are signs of instability, were noted in the Smithers area.

A few large (size 2) wind slab avalanches were reported last week. We suspect with recent and forecast wind, that wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering over the next few days.

Early season reports have been extremely limited. Please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Wind slabs have formed on many lee slopes. Expect to find sastrugi and wind-scoured surfaces in all open wind-exposed areas at upper elevations.
A rain crust from early November is likely buried 30 to 50 cm deep and may be poorly bonded to overlying wind slabs.
Most areas below treeline do not have enough snow to meet the threshold for avalanches.
Alpine snow depths vary across the region, but are roughly 100 cm west of Smithers and 50 cm to the east. The Ningunsaw area also has around 100 cm in the alpine.

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 35 to 50 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Sunday

Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature high -12 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 15 km/h variable wind. Treeline temperature high -11°C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.