Low hazard doesn't mean no hazard. Watch for isolated pockets of wind slab in the alpine.
Share what you see in the mountains this weekend via the MIN!
Areas in the region that received 5-15 cm of snow since Sunday may have isolated pockets of wind slab could still be reactive to human triggering. Watch for lee features in the alpine with denser and deeper drifts.
Friday night: Mainly cloudy, no precipitation, light northeast winds, alpine temperature -10 C
Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, light northerly winds, alpine high temperature -8 C
Sunday: Cloudy with periods of sun, light flurries possible in the northern half of the region, moderate northwest winds, alpine high temperature -2 C, in the southern half of the region freezing level around 1100 m with an alpine temperature inversion
Monday: Mainly cloudy, no precipitation, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine high temperature near 0 C, in the southern half of the region freezing level around 1100 m with an alpine temperature inversion
There have been no recent reports of avalanches in the region; however, there is very little information available at this time. If you get out into the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting to the Mountain Information Network!
Snowfall was sporadic or failed to materialize with the last storm system. Since Sunday, areas further north in the region may have accumulated 5-15 cm of snow. In these areas, southwesterly winds likely transported the available snow into wind slabs on lee features in the alpine. In isolated areas, these small slabs are likely sitting on a mix of sugary faceted snow, and feathery surface hoar crystals, and hard wind-affected snow that may be reactive to human triggering.
Snowpack depths are 50-100 cm in alpine areas around Smithers, with depths diminishing rapidly below 1500 m.
