Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Mar 5 – 6, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Wind loaded areas will have the deepest and densest slabs. Be cautious in terrain with signs of recent wind effect, and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Easterly winds will alter the snow in commonly sheltered areas. The deepest and touchiest deposits will be areas that wind is actively depositing snow.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2.5–4

    A variety of buried weak layers remain in the snowpack and are most likely triggered from thin rocky areas

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Reports from the recent storm of natural avalanches size 2-3 south of the Skeena as well as natural and skier triggered storm slabs and loose dry avalanches out of steep terrain to size 1.5. A large natural windslab cycle to size 3.5 was reported near Stewart, with debris running far and fast.

Snowpack Summary

40-60 cm of new snow has been loaded into isolated wind slabs on many aspects from variable winds in exposed areas, while remaining lighter and softer in sheltered terrain.

A layer of small surface hoar or facets is now buried over 80 cm deep. A facet/crust layer formed in late January exists around 150 cm deep. Large avalanches were suspected to have run on this layer over a week ago.

The lower snowpack is generally well consolidated but as you move further inland where the snowpack is thinner, basal instabilities linger.

The total height of snow in the alpine varies between 450 cm near the coast and 250 cm further inland.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Possible flurries. Moderate northeasterly wind. Alpine low -10 ºC.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. Possible flurries. Easterly wind up to 30 km/h except westerly 20 km/h above 2000m. Alpine high of-15 ºC.

Monday

Mostly sunny. Moderate southerly wind. Alpine high -10 ºC.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny with increasing cloud. Variable winds becoming moderate above 2000m. Alpine high -15 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to the presence of deeply buried weak layers.

Regions covered