Start with simpler terrain and gather information to as you travel into avalanche terrain. This forecast is based on limited field observations.
In alpine terrain and near ridgetops you may find old hard wind slabs on all aspects and softer fresh slabs on west and north facing slopes.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear, light wind from the northeast, alpine temperatures drop to -15 C.
FRIDAY: Sunny, light wind from the east, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
SATURDAY: Sunny, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
SUNDAY: Increasing cloud throughout the day, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
No avalanches have been reported in the region, but it's safe to assume last weekend's storm caused some natural avalanches at higher elevations. The main concern this week is areas where wind may have blown surface snow into hard wind slabs. Concern is reduced in areas where the snow depths have not yet reach the threshold for avalanches.
20 to 30 cm of snow accumulated in the region over the weekend. Since then cold windy conditions have likely formed wind slabs in open terrain. Observations in the region are limited, but we have indications that in areas where early season snowpack existed the new snow buried a thick crust. A MIN report from the Ashman area (west of Smithers) suggests the new snow bonded well to the crust, but that may not be the case elsewhere in the region. Given the lack of recent snowpack observations, we suggest carefully monitoring the bond of the new snow to this crust. Total snow depths are 50-100 cm in alpine areas around Smithers, with depths diminishing rapidly below 1500 m.
