Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, Howson, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, Northwest Inland, South Bulkley, Telkwa.
Wind slab avalanches are happening in this region. Avoid wind loaded terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday we received multiple reports of wind slab avalanches up to size 2. The Avalanche Canada field team even reported one size 2 wind slab avalanche on Wednesday near Kitwanga
Snowpack Summary
The outflow winds from the north east continue to redistribute and build new windslabs. Under this old wind slabs can be found on all aspects in exposed terrain from previous variable winds. These wind slabs overlie a poorly bonded facetted layer
In sheltered areas, up to 35 cm of low density snow sits on a decomposing rain crust up to 1650 m.
Two surface hoar layers can be found buried between 50 and 90 cm deep and have become unlikely to trigger.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear overnight with no snow expected, east alpine winds up to 40 km/hr, treeline temperature -18 °C .
Thursday
Partly cloudy, increasing cloud overnight, no snow expected, south east alpine winds up to 35 km/hr, treeline temp -20 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy and increasing in the afternoon/ evening, snowfall amounts up to 10 cm through the day increasing overnight, south east wind 20-30 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, snowfall up to 5 cm expected through the day, south west alpine winds up to 20 km/hr, treeline temperatures -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snow and moderate northerly winds are loading onto existing wind slabs, which overlie a poorly bonded facetted layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2