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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2025–Mar 19th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Howson.

Stick to conservative terrain free from overhead hazard.

Avoid large, steep and open slopes at higher elevations where persistent weak layers are more triggerable.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several naturally triggered persistent slab avalanches were reported on Monday, to size 2.5. Natural and rider triggered wind slabs were also reported, on south facing slopes to size 2.

We expect this activity to continue in areas that see rapid loading from new snow and wind on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow will accumulate over wind affected surfaces at higher elevations, with deeper deposits expected in north facing terrain features. Older wind slabs likely still linger below, found on all aspects. Lower elevations will receive a mix of rain and wet snow.

Two layers of concern currently exist in the upper-mid snowpack. Surface hoar on a crust can be found 20 to 60 cm deep. And a layer of facets, surface hoar and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 50 to 100 cm deep.

The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated with no current concerns.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 5 cm for most areas, up to 10 cm in coastal terrain. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop winds, increasing overnight. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow widespread, potential for 30 cm in immediate coastal areas. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C as freezing levels rise to 1300 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with flurries. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C as freezing levels rise to 1200 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing levels rise to 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.