Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Howson, Kitimat, Nass, Northwest Coastal, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart.
Tune in to the changing conditions of elevation, aspect, and time of day.
Be cautious in wind-affected terrain and avoid steep sun-exposed slopes and overhead hazard during periods of strong sun.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Small (size 1) wet loose avalanches have been observed throughout the week during periods of strong solar radiation.
On Sunday, a rockfall triggered a large (size 2.5) wet loose avalanche on a southwest aspect in the alpine. A natural cornice failure was observed but it did not pull a slab on the slope below.
Snowpack Summary
Cool, clear weather has promoted surface faceting and surface hoar growth. A crust exist on the surface on all aspects below 1800 m and steep south facing slopes.
At treeline and below, a weak layer of rounding surface hoar is found 20-50 cm down in sheltered terrain. No recent reactivity has been observed on this interface.
The lower snowpack is well consolidated and strong.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Clear. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -2 °C. Ridge wind northeast 10-25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Tuesday
Sunny. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 3 °C. Ridge wind 10-30 km/h from the northeast. Freezing level rises to 2300 metres.
Wednesday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 4 °C. Ridge wind light from the north. Freezing level rises to 1500 metres.
Thursday
Sunny. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Ridge wind 10-40 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1100 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Easterly wind may have redistributed the surface snow into fresh pockets of wind slab in the alpine.
Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Warm temperatures and strong sun may create wet loose avalanche on steep sun exposed slopes.
Keep in mind, that wet loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2