Avalanche Forecast

On Saturday, several size 1 and 2 natural and triggered wind slab avalanches were reported in steep terrain. These often failed on the New Year's melt-freeze crust. They occurred on both north- and south-facing slopes.

Friday, near Ningunsaw, skiers triggered size 2 avalanches on west- and south-facing slopes in the alpine and treeline, between 20 and 50 cm deep. One failed up to 100 cm deep. It is suspected to have failed on the weak layer described in the Snowpack Summary.

New snow, and the previous 20 to 50 cm of soft snow, will likely be blown around by southwest winds today. Previous winds have varied, so expect to find slabs in any exposed, lee terrain features.

This overlies previous hard surfaces and a melt-freeze crust that extends up to 1800 m.

North in the region, there may be a deeper crust 100 cm deep that could act as a weak layer.

South, closer to Terrace, the remainder of the snowpack is reportedly strong with various hard crusts. Check out this MIN report describing conditions in the backcountry near Shames.

Snow depths are highly variable throughout the region, ranging from 150 to 300 cm at treeline and tapering rapidly below.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy with a trace of snow, west alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5 ºC.

Monday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm snow, greater in the southwest, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6 ºC.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy with trace snow, north alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -8 ºC.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy with no precipitation, north alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.