Avalanche Forecast

Ongoing natural wind slab activity has been reported in the alpine. Skiers on Friday were able to trigger small wind slabs on lee features.

One cornice fall avalanche occurred off an east-facing ridge in the alpine.

Thursday, near Terrace, skiers triggered a wind slab avalanche up to 50 cm deep.

Two very large (size 3) slab avalanches were observed near Ningunsaw on south and west-facing slopes. These avalanches may be failing on the deeper weak layer described below.

Outflow (north and east) winds have redistributed soft snow into wind slabs in exposed areas. These winds are opposite to regular loading patterns.

In sheltered areas, about 15 cm of snow overlies a layer of buried surface hoar. Otherwise, wind slabs overlie previous hard surfaces or a melt-freeze crust that extends up to 1600 m (east) or 1800 m (west).

Near Stewart and Ningunsaw, a weak layer in the form of a crust may exist up to 100 cm deep.

The remainder of the snowpack is reportedly strong with various hard crusts.

Snow depths vary throughout the region, ranging from 150 to 300 cm at treeline and tapering rapidly below.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy with no new snow, northwest alpine winds 20 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -28 ºC.

Sunday

A few clouds with no new snow, northwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -25 ºC.

Monday

Increasing clouds with a trace of new snow, southwest alpine winds 20 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -15 ºC.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of new snow, north alpine winds 20 km/h, treeline temperature -15 ºC.

With cold temperatures forecast for this weekend, check out the most recent Forecaster Blog for tips on backcountry preparedness.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.