Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.
Strong southerly winds have formed fresh wind slabs in the alpine. Avoid steep north-facing terrain where triggering a wind slab is more likely.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Our field team has reported size 2 natural slab avalanches in the Telkwas on Tuesday and Babines on Wednesday. They also observed easy propagating snowpack test results on the February layer.
Looking forward, human triggering of small, fresh wind slabs and deeper, more destructive persistent weak layers remains possible.
Snowpack Summary
Light new snow amounts are beginning to bury a widespread layer of surface hoar crystals, which sit over a crust on solar aspects and low elevations.
A layer of facets, surface hoar and/or a crust formed during the February drought, are buried 30 to 50 cm deep and give easy results in snowpack tests.
Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of facets and a crust from early December can be found. This layer appears to be dormant but is still worth managing in thin snowpack areas in the alpine.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Clear 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level to valley bottom.
Sunday
Cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries. 40 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Light new snow and elevated southwest wind should build fresh wind slabs, though limited in destructive potential. Watch for reactive pockets near ridge crests and rollovers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
Although activity on deeper layers has tapered, a string of persistent slabs in the recent past should keep this problem in your risk management. Use lower consequence slopes in sheltered areas where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5