Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2023–Apr 17th, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Fresh wind slabs reactive to human triggers may be found on lee features at treeline and above.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind affected areas where triggering slabs are more likely.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Saturday. However, observations are very limited during this time of year.

A naturally triggered size 2 wind slab was reported on a north aspect in the alpine in the Ashman zone on Thursday. See MIN.

A naturally triggered size 2.5 wind slab was reported on a northeast aspect in the alpine in Seaton Basin on Wednesday. See MIN.

Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of snow last week was redistributed into wind slabs on northerly aspects by south winds. The recent snow sits over wind-affected surfaces or a crust on south-facing slopes.

A weak layer buried in late March is down 30-40cm and exists as surface hoar and facets on north facing slopes and a crust elsewhere. It has produced recent test results and may be reactive to human triggers in isolated locations where the layer is well preserved and has a cohesive overlying slab. See MIN.

The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts. Near the ground, weak faceted crystals exist. There hasn't been avalanche activity on this layer recently, but it remains on our radar as it may become active with abrupt changes to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged warming.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy with flurries; 0-20 cm / 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -8 C / Freezing level valley bottom

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud / 10 km/h west ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -5 C / Freezing level 1100 m

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud / 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -4 C / Freezing level 1300 m

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud / 20 km/h east ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -2 C / Freezing level 1500 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 steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.