Avalanche Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT- Flurries, up to 5 cm / southwest wind, 30-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 600 m

SUNDAY - Cloudy with a few flurries, 3-5 cm / southwest wind, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1300 m

MONDAY - Mainly cloudy / southwest wind, 50-70 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1500 m

TUESDAY - Snow, 5-10 cm / southwest wind, 50-90 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1000 m

Wind slabs will continue to be reactive as winds redistribute loose snow.

A natural avalanche cycle occurred Thursday into Friday with storm and wind slab avalanches to size 2, with poor visibility likely limiting alpine observations. The strong winds reached below treelline elevations - reports of numerous wind slab avalanches observed in steep terrain with crowns 20-30 cm deep and up to 150 m wide.

On Tuesday, a previous avalanche cycle occurred in the south of the region as slab avalanches up to size 2 failed naturally in wind loaded terrain. 

Explosives triggered a few size 2 persistent slab avalanches reported near the southern boundary of the region on Sunday. And last Saturday, explosive control work near Ningunsaw (just outside the region) produced several wind slabs to size 2.5 and one size 3 deep persistent slab failing on weak facets near the base of the snowpack. As we continue to track this persistent weak layer, these are a reminder of the "low probability; high consequence" scenario that persistent slab problems often create.

Flurries and snow continue to accumulate around the region. Fresh wind slabs are forming in many areas, including at lower elevations. 20-50 cm of recent storm snow may cover a weak layer of surface hoar that was recently buried at treeline and below treeline.

In the south of the region, another weak layer of surface hoar that was buried around the New Year has been reported down 50-70 cm in sheltered areas.

The lower snowpack has two crusts with potentially weak, faceted snow around them. Reports from the Smithers area suggest the upper crust is 70-140 cm below the surface and has shown signs of being possible to trigger from shallow areas. The deeper crust is near the bottom of the snowpack and is most likely to trigger from steep, rocky slopes, with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.

• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Be especially cautious near rock outcroppings, on steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.