Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Boundary, East Stikine, Ningunsaw, Northwest Coastal, Stewart, West Stikine.
Another 30 cm and strong wind are driving the avalanche danger. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Deep instabilities are present and have produced recent large avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, numerous naturally triggered persistent slab avalanches (up to size 3) were reported. A skier remotely triggered a size 1.5 persistent slab from 50 m away.
Natural avalanche activity is expected to continue on Wednesday and avalanche terrain should be avoided.
Snowpack Summary
Another 30 + cm is expected Wednesday bringing storm snow totals up to 80 cm over the past few days. Strong to extreme west through southwest wind has created widespread wind effect, with deeper deposits of snow on leeward slopes.
Down 70 to 120 cm a layer of surface hoar, facets, or a thin crust exists.
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar and facets overlying a crust is buried 120 to 150 cm deep. This layer remains reactive, producing large and dangerous avalanches.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Snow 10 cm. 30 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Wednesday
Snow up to 30 to 40 cm. 45 to 90 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud, possible flurries up to 5 cm. 25 to 90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Watch for newly formed and reactive storm slabs within the new snow. Potential remains for slabs to step down to deeper persistent weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely - Certain
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
The persistent slab avalanche problem is and has resulted in large to very large avalanches (up to 3). Expect with the increasing snowfall and snow load, this problem will continue to remain likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5