Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.
New snow will continue falling throughout the day.
If you are traveling in an area that has more than 20cm of new snow treat the hazard as CONSIDERABLE.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A natural wet slab avalanche was reported in the seton area at 1500 m that was likely triggered over the weekend. The avalanche pulled out all the snow to the ground. Check out the MIN report here.
If you do observe an avalanche, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm of new snow covers variably wind-affected snow in open terrain at upper elevations. A crust is found up to 2000 m and higher on solar slopes.
Below 1100 m the snowpack is wet with no structure.
Two layers of concern currently exist in the upper-mid snowpack.
A layer of surface hoar that formed in early March can be found at a depth of 60 to 100 cm.
A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 120 to 200 cm deep.
The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated, and there are no current concerns.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud with flurries. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
At alpine elevations 20 - 40 cm has fallen warm and will be able to produce avalanches in the surface snow.
Day time warming could cause small slab and or loose avalanches of surface snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Facets and/or surface hoar buried 40 to 80 cm deep are most prominent at upper elevations where no surface crust has formed. Surface instabilities or large triggers may step down to these deeper layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Cornices
As temperatures rise, large cornice falls will become a concern. They can potentially trigger persistent slabs on the slopes below. Evidence of recent cornice falls has been reported in the region.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5