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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2023–Apr 6th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Ningunsaw.

Watch for fresh and reactive wind slabs building as snowfall accumulates with strong winds. Heaviest snowfall is expected in immediate coastal areas and near Kitimat. Step back to conservative terrain as snowfall continues.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several rider triggered slabs were reported on Tuesday, to size 1 primarily in wind loaded features.

On the weekend a rider triggered a size 2 slab as they travelled through a thin snowpack area, on weak crystals above a crust from the end of March, resulting in a full burial. The person involved was extricated with no injuries. This layer has shown some reactivity in isolated features.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall will be redistributed by strong southerly winds into wind loaded features on north facing slopes. This new snow will fall over previously wind affected surfaces, from up to 40 cm of recent snowfall that sits above a widespread melt freeze crust on all aspects and elevations. On south facing slopes the strong winds are expected to keep this crust on the surface.

The mid and lower snowpack are considered generally strong and well-bonded. In outlying northern reaches of the region, basal facets may exist which are currently considered inactive. This layer may become active with abrupt changes to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged warming.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with light snowfall, up to 15 cm on the immediate coast and 5 cm elsewhere. Strong southerly winds. Freezing levels remain around 1000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy. 5 cm of snow expected in cm in most areas, with up to 20 cm possible on the immediate coast/Kitimat area. Freezing levels around 1300 m.

Light snow continues overnight.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. Moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with strong to extreme southerly winds. Snow intensifies with moderate to heavy accumulations possible.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.