Avalanche Forecast

Several loose wet avalanches (sizes 1 to 2) were observed near the Smithers area on steep sun-exposed slopes on Wednesday. A few small cornice failures were also observed on northerly alpine terrain. Similar avalanches remain possible during the heat of the day going forward.

Observations have been limited recently, If you are headed into the backcountry, please consider sharing a MIN report.

A melt-freeze crust exists on all sun-exposed slopes and all aspects up into the lower alpine. The crust is expected to quickly melt and break down with daytime warming. With no solid overnight freeze in the forecast, this crust may break down early in the day.

Dry snow and isolated wind slabs may still exist on shady slopes in the high alpine.

Cornices are large this time of year will likely become weak with daytime warming.

A weak layer of faceted grains and/or surface hoar crystals may exist 40 to 80 cm deep in isolated areas; particularly northerly alpine slopes.

Thursday Night

Clear skies. 20 to 35 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level dropping to 1400 m.

Friday

Sunny. 30 to 50 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.