Kitimat

Large avalanches continue to be reported around the region. A complex and reactive snowpack is best managed by choosing simple, conservative terrain.

Warm temperatures have produced a crust above 2000 m and higher on solar slopes. Dry snow persists on northerly aspects at upper elevations.

Three persistent weak layers are a concern in the snowpack. Surface hoar that formed in mid-March can be found 50 to 100 cm below the snow surface. Below this, another layer of surface hoar that formed in early March can be found at a depth of 100 to 150 cm. Additionally, a layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 100 to 200 cm deep.

A significant avalanche cycle occurred last weekend, with very large slab avalanches (up to size 4) failing on multiple persistent weak layers. On Sunday, skiers remotely triggered a size 3 persistent slab near Shames (see photo). Reports of large avalanches to size 3 continued Tuesday and Wednesday, likely triggered by warm temperatures or solar input.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy. Gusts to 70 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Friday

Sunny breaks. 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.