Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.
Recent snow will be reverse loaded.
Avoid areas where the wind is actively depositing snow.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported since Tuesday.
During the last avalanche cycle, wind slabs were able to step down to weak layers from December.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 30 cm of new snow is now above previous highly variable surfaces. Strong winds from all directions continue forming pockets of wind slabs.
This snow has fallen on a crusts on south-facing slopes, and in places, surface hoar at lower elevations.
A weak layer of facets and crust from early December is buried approximately 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer likely contributed to avalanches last weekend but should be less reactive under current conditions, primarily posing a concern on steep rocky slopes.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy with flurries. 20 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -21 °C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 30 to 50 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -22 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 40 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -21 °C.
Tuesday
Sunny. 40 to 60 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind loading has switched directions, meaning wind slabs are possible on all aspects in the alpine. At treeline strong easterly winds are building fresh slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A 50 to 100 cm deep weak layer from early December may be possible to trigger on steep, rocky or convex slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3