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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 25th, 2023–Feb 26th, 2023

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, South Bulkley, South Bulkley.

Wind slabs are the main concern. Seek out sheltered and low-consequence terrain for the best and safest riding.

Triggering a deep persistent slab remains possible, especially in areas with a thin snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

New snow may form soft slabs that easily slide on the firm surfaces it is falling on.

Natural wind slab avalanches, some triggered by cornice fall, are reported up to size 3 in the northern part of the region. These avalanches highlight the importance of giving cornices a wide berth and avoiding the overhead hazard they present.

On Thursday a size 3 deep persistent slab avalanche occurred naturally near Kispiox. It was on a steep, alpine feature, failing near rocks at ridgecrest. On Wednesday at Hudson Bay Mountain, a size 2.5 deep persistent slab avalanche was triggered by cornice fall. Several size 2-3 explosive controlled deep persistent slab avalanches also occurred near Ningunsaw.

If you go into the backcountry this weekend, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Reports of new snow amounts totaling 40cm of low density have been submitted. Expect this new snow to be easily redistributed by southwest winds and touchy to sliding on steep old stiff surfaces.

New snow will fall on a firm, wind affected surface in all exposed areas. In sheltered areas, surface faceting due to cold temperatures and/or soft surface snow may remain.

Several crusts, layers of facets, or surface hoar can be found in the top 1.5 meters of the snowpack. This mid-pack is generally showing good strength.

Weak layers of note are facets near the bottom of the snowpack, 150 to 200 cm below the surface.

The total height of snow at treeline is between 200 and 280 cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy 5 to 20 cm of low density snow, moderate southwest winds dropping light throughout the day, treeline temperatures -10°C to -15°C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy, chance of snow flurries, winds west 30 km/h, treeline temperatures -12 ºC.

Tuesday

Cloudy, light snow flurries, winds southwest 20 km/h , treeline temperatures -10 ºC.

Monday

Cloudy, light snow flurries, winds southwest 20 km/h , treeline temperatures -10 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.