Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.
Another warm-up brings rising avalanche risk. Read the new forecasters' blog.
Uncertainty is due to how buried persistent weak layers will react to the upcoming warm weather.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Continuous wet loose avalanches are being reported (size 1.5 to 2) from steep sunny slopes at all elevations. Isolated natural cornice falls were observed on northerly slopes.
Evidence from last week's natural avalanche cycle continued to be reported with large slab avalanches (to size 3) failing on buried persistent weak layers.
Where a thick, supportive surface crust is found, triggering avalanches on buried weak layers is unlikely.
Snowpack Summary
Variable wind-affected snow covers open terrain at upper elevations. A crust is found up to 1600 m and higher on solar slopes. Recent surface hoar up to 10 mm has formed on treeline and alpine features sheltered from the sun and wind.
Three layers of concern currently exist in the upper-mid snowpack. Surface hoar and a crust that formed in mid-March can be found 30 to 70 cm below the snow surface. Below this, another layer of surface hoar that formed in early March can be found at a depth of 60 to 100 cm. Additionally, a layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 120 to 200 cm deep.
The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated, and there are no current concerns.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mainly clear. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m with temperature inversion.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with isolated flurries up to 5 cm of wet snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Facets and/or surface hoar buried 40 to 80 cm deep are most prominent at upper elevations where no surface crust has formed. Surface instabilities or large triggers may step down to these deeper layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Cornices
As temperatures rise, large cornice falls will become a concern. They can potentially trigger persistent slabs on the slopes below. Evidence of recent cornice falls has been reported in the region.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5