Avalanche Forecast
Continue to make conservative terrain choices.
We are transitioning out of a warm, stormy period that introduced rapid change to the snowpack.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, and into Monday morning, numerous large to very large (up to size 3) naturally triggered storm slab, wet slab, and loose wet avalanches were reported. These likely occurred during the most intense parts of the storm. No new avalanches were reported before 4 pm on Tuesday.
Looking forward to Wednesday, we expect that natural avalanches like this will be much less likely, but human-triggered avalanches will remain likely.
Snowpack Summary
Light snow and rain are expected through the day on Wednesday. This likely covers dense, moist snow or a refrozen crust. At treeline and below, expect to find heavy, moist or wet snow on the surface, becoming very slushy at low elevations.
A layer of surface hoar and facets has been found 30-50 cm deep in parts of the region. Below this sits a 15 cm thick hard crust. The recent storm snow/rain and warm temperatures triggered large avalanches on these layers during the height of the storm, but it is expected that they will start to strengthen with calmer, cooler weather.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Possible clear periods in the evening, cloudy by the morning. 2-4 cm of snow expected above 500 m. Moderate southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy. Light rain expected, up to 10 cm of snow above 1750 m (heavier rain and snow near Kitimat). Moderate to strong south or southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 2 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. Light rain expected, 5-10 cm of snow above 1500 m. Moderate south or southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 1 °C.
Friday
Partly cloudy. 3-7 cm of snow expected to near valley bottom. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Temperature dropping rapidly, treeline low around -8 °C.
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.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
This avalanche problem is most likely where moderate to strong winds are moving dry snow and forming fresh slabs in leeward terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Persistent Slabs
Several weak layers buried between late December and mid-January are of concern due to recent warm temperatures, strong winds, and heavy precipitation. These layers are likely to become less concerning as the stormy period passes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Loose Wet
Use caution when encountering moist or wet snow in steep areas or gully features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2