Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Babine, East Stikine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Northwest Inland, Telkwa.
Recently formed wind slabs will linger in exposed alpine terrain. While numerous buried weak layers demand careful terrain selection.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the forecast region. However several wind slab avalanches, up to size 2, were reported on Friday in the neighboring costal region. All in alpine terrain on a variety of aspects and triggered by skiers, explosives, or naturally.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
Recent strong winds have stripped northerly aspects in alpine terrain, redistributing the snow into wind slabs on lee, southerly terrain. While at lower elevations a widespread melt-freeze crust exists on the surface up to roughly 1900 m and is preventing the wind from transporting much snow. The crust continues to gain strength and is becoming supportive at most elevations.
In the mid and lower snowpack, a number of buried weak layers remain a concern. These layers are most concerning in shallow, rocky areas at treeline and alpine elevations.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
Clear, with no precipitation. Treeline temperatures -10 to -15 C. Moderate northeast alpine winds.
Sunday
Sunny, with no precipitation. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. Moderate northwest alpine winds. Potential for alpine temperature inversion.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud, with flurries, 2 to 5 cm. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. Moderate to strong west alpine winds.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries, and trace snow amounts. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. Moderate to strong west alpine winds.
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 steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Firm wind slabs formed during periods of strong outflow winds will continue to linger in steep, exposed alpine terrain near ridges and high points.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A number of buried weak layers remain possible to trigger. These layers appear to be most problematic in upper treeline and alpine elevations, in shallow, variable, rocky start zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3