Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

FRIDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries / southwest wind, 40-60 km/h / alpine low temperature near -5 / freezing level 1000 m, and near valley bottom in the far north (Ningunsaw)

SATURDAY - Snow, 10-20 cm, with another 10-20 cm overnight / southwest wind, 50-70 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1000 m in the south, near valley bottom in the north 

SUNDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest wind, 30-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1000 m in the south, near valley bottom in the north

MONDAY - Mainly cloudy / southwest wind, 30-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1500 m in the south, 1000 m in the north

Continued stormy weather will mean that storm slabs are anticipated to be widespread and natural avalanches are expected. Wet loose avalanches may still be possible at lower elevations in the south.

There were a few natural and explosives triggered size 1-3 avalanches reported in the north of the region on Thursday.

There were a few natural avalanches up to size 3 reported in the north of the region on Wednesday. There was also one remotely triggered size 3 persistent slab avalanche reported in the north of the region.

There was a natural avalanche cycle reported on Tuesday, as well as numerous explosives triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 and a few human triggered size 1 avalanches.

On Monday, there were reports of widespread natural and explosives triggered avalanches up to size 3. The largest avalanches were reported in the north of the region where there has been more recent snow. The avalanches being reported closer to Terrace were generally in the size 1-2 range.

10-20 cm of snow is expected during the day on Saturday, bringing recent storm snow totals to around 80-140 cm. 

The snow is likely wet up to treeline in the south of the region. Further north, the snow may be wet or moist below treeline towards Bear Pass, and to a lesser extent around Ningunsaw. 

In the Shames area, a weak layer of surface hoar has been reported in sheltered areas down around 120-180 cm. 

A bit further north in the Nass/Sterling/Beaupre areas, there is potentially still concern about an older weak layer overlying a crust that is now roughly 180-200 cm deep. 

In the far north of the region, there is concern about weak snow at the bottom of the snowpack.

• Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
• Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy rain.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.