Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

We're looking at a brief clearing on Christmas before a powerful storm hits the north coast. Snow is expected to start falling in Smithers early Saturday morning with 5-10cm expected through the day and overnight. Sunday will see another 5-10 cm, while Monday is forecast to be mainly dry. An artic front just inland will keep thing cool with freezing levels at or close to valley bottom. Strong southwest winds are expected to build on Saturday and persist through the forecast period.

No new avalanches have been reported.

A skiff of new snow may be covering thin stiff wind slabs in alpine and above tree-line features on a variety of aspects lee to the variable recent winds. These winds have been mainly out of the northeast in areas under the influence of cold arctic air, and out of the south or southeast when the snowstorms have moved inland from the coast. Below this we're still dealing with a thin, early-season snow pack for much of the Northwest Inland region. Between 80 and 100 cm of snow can be found at tree-line in the south and west of the region, with closer to 60 cm in the east. A layer of surface hoar has been reported to be just below the surface in isolated sheltered areas although it may be hard to find. A weak basal layer probably exists in areas with a shallow snowpack.