Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, East Stikine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Northwest Inland, Telkwa, West Stikine.
Watch for lingering wind slabs that may remain reactive to human triggering.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday A few naturally triggered small loose wet avalanches were observed with one large (size 2) that initiated in a steep rocky feature in the alpine running onto the glacier below. A noted natural small (size 1) wind slab avalanche on a northeast aspect in the alpine was reported. Additional reports of large (size 2) glide slab avalanches occurring on a south aspect in terrain with rock slab features being the ground roughness characteristic.
On Monday, numerous small wet loose avalanches (size 1) were observed on steep, rocky solar slopes at higher elevations.
On Sunday, several loose wet, large (size 2), avalanches were observed below treeline. A skier controlled, small (size 1), wind slab avalanche was reported at 1400 m on a northeast aspect.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Variable winds have built wind slabs on exposed terrain features near ridgetop. Below 1800 m moist snow or a refrozen melt freeze crust covers the surface. The crust extends up to 2000 m on solar aspects.
The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts.
The lower snowpack is composed of weak basal facets. This layer has produced limited recent avalanche activity, however it can quickly become active again with any significant change to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged and extensive warming.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mainly clear with cloudy periods. Moderate southwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature low -6°C. Freezing levels descending to 200 m .
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds easing to light by mid day. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels 1400 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace amounts of accumulation. Light southeast winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing levels 1000 m
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Light northwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing levels 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Storm snow has been redistributed by switching winds into deeper deposits in exposed alpine and treeline features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak, sugary faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack. Riders are most likely to trigger this layer on steep, rocky slopes where the snowpack is shallow. The likelihood of avalanche activity on this layer will increase during periods of rapid change to the snowpack, such as heavy snowfall, rain, or rapid warming. Cornices are also very large at this time of year and a cornice failure could trigger this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5