Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Feb 19 – 20, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Check for the presence of buried weak layers before committing to steep, high-consequence terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Old hard wind slabs over weak sugary facets on a hard crust remain human-triggerable, mainly in rocky, steep alpine terrain.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    The potential for loose wet avalanches will increase during periods of warming and direct sun on steep slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday a skier accidentally triggered a large avalanche near Hudson Bay Mountain. It is suspected that this avalanche failed on the persistent weak layer described in the snowpack summary. Check this MIN post for full details.A few small natural avalanches were also reported in the Babines.

On Friday, a small ( size 1) skier-triggered size slab avalanche was reported in the Hudson Bay Mountain area. This avalanche also failed on the persistent weak layer.

Snowpack Summary

A variety of conditions can be found in exposed terrain at treeline and above, including crusty and wind affected surfaces. In isolated areas in the alpine, hard wind slabs overlie a persistent layer of weak sugary facets above a crust, and continue to be susceptible to human triggering. In sheltered terrain, there is up to 5 cm of snow on top of a breakable crust and new surface hoar development. The remainder of the snowpack is generally not concerning.

Check out this MIN from our field team in the Babines.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, no precipitation, 15-20 km/h variable alpine wind, treeline temperature -6°C.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, 10 km/h southwest alpine wind, treeline temperature -3°C, freezing level 600 m.

Tuesday

Sunny, no precipitation, 15 to 20 km/h northwest alpine wind, treeline temperature -3°C, freezing level 700m.

Wednesday

Sunny, no precipitation, 10-15 km/h northwest alpine wind, treeline temperature -2°C, freezing level 700m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches

Regions covered