Avalanche Forecast

A skier-triggered size 1.5 slab avalanche was reported Tuesday not far from Terrace. This avalanche occurred on a north-facing treeline slope, failing on a facet/crust combination down 20 to 30 cm from the surface.

Several avalanches with similar characteristics to the one mentioned above have been reported throughout the last week.

In exposed terrain at treeline and above, snow surfaces have been highly wind affected by recent strong winds from variable directions. Where sheltered from winds roughly 5 to 10 cm of soft, faceted snow sits atop various hard surfaces below. Sun crusts exist on south-facing slopes.

An older layer of surface hoar and/or facets may be found buried by 20 to 40 cm in sheltered terrain. It is most problematic where winds have created deeper, cohesive slabs above the layer.

A crust from late January can be found down 20 to 50 cm.

Wednesday Night

Clear skies. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m in the south of the region and valley bottom in the north.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. 30 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C to the north and -1 °C to the south.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.