Avalanche Forecast
Choose mellow, low consequence terrain during the storm. The heaviest snowfall is expected southwest of Terrace.
If your area gets less than 30 cm of snow, lower the danger one level.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle is expected to be occurring.
On Friday, reports from the Shames backcountry were of 15 to 30 cm of new snow poorly bonded to the underlying surface, with fast-running loose wet and loose dry avalanches occurring.
Looking forward, natural and human-triggered avalanches will remain likely in areas that are seeing rapid loading from new snow and wind.
Snowpack Summary
40 to 60 cm of recent storm snow may have fallen with southerly wind forming deeper deposits on north-facing slopes. The southwest corner of the forecast area may see much more than this. Terrace is just outside of the forecasted heavy snow area, but conditions could change rapidly if the storm pushes further inland.
This recent snow will overlie a variety of surfaces including a layer of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and wind-affected snow or a sun crust in exposed terrain.
Two layers of surface hoar from January can be found in the top meter of the snowpack.
A layer of facets on top of a crust from early December is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. This layer is generally not a concern in this region.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with up to 20 cm of snow above 500 m, moderate rain below. 40 cm around Kitimat. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 20 cm of snow above 500 m, moderate rain below. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with 2 cm of snow above 1000 m, light rain below. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 rising to 1 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 rising to 2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
With new snow, strong winds, and warm temperatures, storm slabs will quickly become reactive anywhere that dry or moist snow starts to pile up.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Persistent Slabs
Two surface hoar layers can be found in the top metre of the snowpack in sheltered terrain. They have been unreactive recently, but rapid change due to new snow and warm temperatures may wake them up.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will be possible where precipitation falls as rain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5