Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames.
Use caution on wind loaded features in the alpine. Recent new snow accompanied by southerly winds has formed wind slab in the alpine that may remain sensitive to rider traffic.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday ski cutting produced one size one wind slab at treeline that ran on a crust.
Snowpack Summary
Check out this great MIN describing conditions at Shames.
There is a thick rain crust at or near the surface up to 1500 m. At upper elevations, moderate to strong southwest winds have redistributed any recent snow into lee terrain. Multiple crusts exist in the top 30 cm of the snowpack.
Two buried surface hoar layers may still be found in isolated areas, buried 75-100 cm, and 120-200 cm deep. Their likelihood of triggering has likely reduced with the recent warm temperatures, rain and subsequent re-freezing.
Snow depths are highly variable depending on elevation, and decrease rapidly below treeline.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -2°C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected, east alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -2°C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -1°C.
Thursday
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 60 km/h, freezing level rising to 900 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.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snow accompanied by southerly winds has formed wind slab in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2