Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, Northwest Inland, South Bulkley, Telkwa.
Check for loaded pockets in leeward terrain. Avalanches are most likely where the wind has formed a slab over a crust or weak faceted snow.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few size 1-2 wind slab avalanches were reported last Monday-Wednesday. These occurred on wind-loaded leeward slopes, with the larger ones failing on the December crust (for more details click the photos below). We suspect recent wind has affected surfaces in open terrain at upper elevations, but have had limited field reports for this region.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 30 cm recent snowfall is soft and low density in many places, with some wind-affected areas around ridgelines and exposed terrain at upper elevations
A noticeable interface can be found across the region, buried 30 to 70 cm, depending on wind loading patterns. This layer is made of weak facets overlying a hard crust. Snowpack tests indicate this layer is losing reactivity, but we've had very few field observations.
The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled and bonded.
Weather Summary
Sunday night
Mostly clear. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries, 5 cm. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Wednesday
Overnight flurries, 5 to 20 cm snow by morning. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Increasing winds will quickly impact loose snow. Watch for blowing snow and check for reactive pockets under ridgelines and steep rolls.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A widespread crust with weak crystals overtop is buried 30-70 cm deep. This problem is specific to areas where a cohesive slab has formed over the layer, for example wind-loaded features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5