Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Howson, Kitimat, Nass, Northwest Coastal, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, West Stikine.
Forecast snow and strong southwesterly wind are expected to form fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
Concern for triggering large persistent slab avalanches remains. Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs are more likely.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Numerous avalanches were reported near Shames on Sunday, but poor visibility prevented detailed observations. See MIN.
Additionally, numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were reported on all aspects/elevations.
A fatal avalanche occurred north of Stewart on April 11th. It was a skier-triggered size 3 persistent slab avalanche that occurred on a northeast aspect in the alpine.
Most professional operations are now closed which means we have very little snowpack or avalanche observation data. Please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.
Snowpack Summary
Forecast snow and strong southwesterly wind are expected to form fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
A crust exists up to ridgetop on south-facing slopes and on all aspects up to approximately 1300 m.
The primary concern is two buried weak layers down 40-140 cm deep in most areas. They include facets and surface hoar in shaded areas and a melt-freeze crust elsewhere. Numerous human-triggered persistent slab avalanches have occurred on these layers during the past week.
The mid and lower snowpack is considered generally strong and well-bonded. In the far northern reaches of the region, basal facets may exist which are currently considered inactive. This layer may become active with abrupt changes to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged warming.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Snow; 10-20 cm / 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -3 C / Freezing level 800 m
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm, then another 15-30 cm overnight / 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 1100 m
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud with flurries; 5-10 cm / 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 1200 m
Thursday
Mostly cloudy / 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 2 C / Freezing level 1500 m
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Forecast snow and strong southwesterly wind are expected to form fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Numerous large persistent slab avalanches were triggered by riders in the alpine between April 10-12th. Most professional operations are now closed which means we have very little snowpack or avalanche observation data.
The primary concern is a layer of facets and surface hoar buried anywhere from 40-140 cm on shaded slopes. On other slopes, this layer is a crust with facets above. Avoid steep open slopes capable of producing large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Loose Wet
Even short periods of strong solar radiation may trigger wet loose avalanches on steep, sunny slopes.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5