Avalanche Forecast

On Wednesday the field team reported a few recent wind slabs out of steep north and east-facing alpine in the Hankin area. See photo below.

On Tuesday a skier remotely triggered a size 1.5 avalanche in the Kispiox region north of Hazelton. It occurred in north-facing treeline terrain and failed on the early April crust.

The wind slabs may need a couple of additional days to bond to the underlying crust.

25 cm (near Smithers) to 40 cm (near Ningunsaw) of recent storm snow has buried a widespread crust formed at the beginning of April. Previous winds may have scoured surfaces down to the crust in many windward ridgetop areas while forming deeper deposits of snow in leeward terrain. Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the crust.

Previously problematic layers deeper in the snowpack appear to have bonded and strengthened. There is a low likelihood that they remain a risk in steep, north and east-facing, alpine terrain, especially with very large triggers like cornice falls.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow possible. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -5 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. Trace amounts of snow/light rain possible. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 0 to 3 cm of new snow possible. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.