Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Boundary, East Stikine, Howson, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Kitimat, Microwave-Sinclair, Nass, Ningunsaw, North Bulkley, Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, South Bulkley, Stewart, Telkwa, West Stikine.
Conditions are generally safe but small wind slabs can have serious consequences in steep terrain.
Continue to assess your route carefully and follow safe travel practices.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday and Thursday, north of Stewart, several explosive and skier-triggered wind slab avalanches occurred up to size 1.5.
Wind slabs like these are becoming less likely to trigger, but may remain sensitive to human triggers in isolated areas, particularly where they overlay surface hoar.
Snowpack Summary
On the surface, around 15 to 30 cm of snow has combined over the last two storms. This snow sits on a thick rain crust which may also have weak surface hoar or facets overlying it in some areas around Terrace and Stewart.
Recent winds have varied in direction, so wind slabs may be present on all aspects. These slabs should bond quickly, but may be more reactive where they overlie the weak surface hoar and facets.
The mid and lower snowpack are not concerning at this time, and are made up of various hard layers, or moist snow at lower elevations.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly Clear. 10 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Mostly Sunny. 35 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 35 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for isolated wind slabs on all aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5