Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Boundary, East Stikine, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Stewart, West Stikine.
Riders may trigger wind slabs in lee areas.
Sticking to conservative terrain is the easiest way to manage buried, persistent weak layers.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, a large natural wind slab (size 2.5) failed on a north facing alpine slope.
Cornices continue to fail almost daily, as well as small and large wind slabs.
A large (size 3) persistent slab avalanche was reported on Friday. Believed to be the March 5th surface hoar layer.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40 cm of recent snow has fallen over various recent crusts which are found up to 1800 m, higher on sunny slopes. Southwest wind has redistributed soft snow in exposed areas, building slabs.
Three layers of note, currently exist in the mid-snowpack:
A layer of surface hoar and a crust that formed in mid-March is 50 to 80 cm below the snow surface.
Another layer of surface hoar that formed in early March buried 70 to 120 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.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h variable direction ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may remain reactive to riders. Avoid wind loaded areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Persistent Slabs
Large triggers like avalanches in motion or cornice failure may trigger buried weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Cornices
Avoid travelling underneath cornices.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5